Multi-modal measurement approach to team cohesion

Abstract

Team performance is a function, in part, of team cohesion: a dynamic process that is reflected in the tendency of a group to remain united in the pursuit of its goals and objectives (Carron 1982). We propose that a multi-modal measurement approach that integrates data from a variety of sources is critical to forming a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between team cohesion and performance, and can afford measurement of the hard-to-assess social component of team cohesion. Moreover, the use of a multi-modal measurement technique can afford flexibility in measuring across a variety of environments and selecting the most relevant measurement tools to minimize the technical footprint required for the assessment of teams and individuals in an operational environment. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.