A Taxonomy for Composing Effective Naval Teams

Using Sociometry to Predict Team Performance in the Work Place

“…In fact, research on work teams continues to demand considerable attention (Bettenhausen, 1991) and has for some time been considered relatively dormant (Gladstein, 1984). As Driskell, Salas, and Hogan (1987) have noted: The military promotes effective task performance primarily through personnel selection and training. Selection is based largely on tests of ability and aptitude.…”

Task Types and Team-Level Attributes

“…In 1984, McGrath created one of the most well-known team typologies, including seven task types, by considering three underlying dimensions: conflict-cooperation, conceptual-behavioral, and choose-execute. Driskell, Salas, and Hogan (1987) proposed a similar task typology focused specifically on Navy teams. Six core personality dimensions were examined to describe the following team task types: mechanical/technical, intellectual/analytical, imaginative/aesthetic, social, manipulative/persuasive, and logical/precision.…”

“…Waitstaff, nurses, salespeople, and training teams, to name a few, are all examples of workers that likely provide human/customer service of some sort. Many of the previous works have recognized social or service-related tasks (e.g., service, Devine, 2002; social, Driskell et al, 1987), which have been integrated into our human service category. Hackman (1990) included separate human service and customer service categories.…”

“…Devine (2002), Driskell and colleagues (1987), and McGrath (1984) each recognized elements of negotiation in their taxonomies, but each is narrowly defined, indicating that previous taxonomies have not been exhaustive. Devine (2002) provides the most inclusive definition of negotiation, describing it as work teams engaging in “competitive intellectual tasks in which group members represent the interests of larger entities” (p. 301).…”

“…Devine (2002) provides the most inclusive definition of negotiation, describing it as work teams engaging in “competitive intellectual tasks in which group members represent the interests of larger entities” (p. 301). Driskell and colleagues’ (1987) persuasive category, however, is described as persuading other people, which falls short of a full definition of negotiation and could technically be categorized as managing others or negotiation depending on whether or not the involved parties are being persuaded for the purposes of working together or in opposition. Likewise, McGrath’s similar category is resolving conflicts of interest.…”