When is collaborating with friends a good idea? insights from design education

Abstract

Prior research is split on the relationship between prior friendship and performance. Based on our review of the literature, we highlight areas where further research is needed to achieve greater practical applicability of the results. We then present our study measures and preliminary analysis of data collected from a design studio university course. Our quantitative and qualitative probes suggest a link between teammates' prior friendship and lower performance outcomes. We also identify four group processes that may mediate the relationship between friendship and performance.

Investigating user experience in Second Life for collaborative learning

“…In contrast, Maldonado et al (2009) found a strong negative correlation between prior friendship and groupwork performance. Furthermore, working with friends can yield lower-quality outcomes because friends indulge in more non-task related behaviour, with stronger pressures to agree, and unwillingness to be critical of each others' ideas (Dutson et al, 1997;Witmer and Singer, 1999).…”

“…So while prior social relationships may not be necessary for collaboration (Maldonado et al, 2009;Witmer and Singer, 1999), some social familiarity does appear to promote group interaction and performance. When technology is being used to mediate learning prior to meeting face-to-face, it is advisable to help participants develop common groups so they can adapt their modus operandi to the technology.…”

Detecting professional versus personal closeness using an enterprise social network site

“…Such knowledge may help develop strategies for team formation. A complication with this issue though is that friends do not always make the best project teammates, because they tend to avoid conflict and excuse lower effort [24]. For individual employees, social network information can assist employees in finding jobs [14] and in spreading information between organizational divisions [16].…”

Dyadic instruction for middle school students: Liking promotes learning

“…Some have argued the presence of friends can distract from learning and interfere with productivity (Zajac & Hartup, 1997). Working with a friend may relax partner expectations such that pressure to perform is reduced (Maldonado, Klemmer, & Pea, 2009). When friends are present, off-task behaviors can increase, which tends to limit on-task discussion (So & Brush, 2008).…”

“…Together, these conspire to reduce effort invested in task completion. In one study of college undergraduates, ratings of friendship were negatively correlated with performance on a design project (Maldonado et al, 2009). Compared to nonfriends, friends proposed plans that were less well-developed and submitted final projects that were of poorer quality.…”