A new approach to studying collective orientation in team contexts

Abstract

We have proposed a new conceptual framework of collective orientation in team contexts with regard to vertical and horizontal dimensions of individualism and collectivism at the individual level. It has been argued that people may activate these schemas differently for different team contexts. An empirical longitudinal study of 270 students engaged in 82 academic teams confirmed the conceptualization by identifying four interpretable factors: vertical and horizontal idiocentrism and allocentrism. This new conceptual framework may have significant implications for studies of some aspects of team processes in organizational contexts.