Role balance and team development: A study of team role characteristics underlying high and low performing teams

Abstract

It has been suggested that the performance of a team is determined by the team members’ roles. An analysis of the performance of 342 individuals organised into 33 teams indicates that team roles characterised by creativity, co-ordination and co-operation are positively correlated with team performance. Members of developed teams exhibit certain performance enhancing characteristics and behaviours. Amongst the more developed teams there is a positive relationship between Specialist Role characteristics and team performance. While the characteristics associated with the Co-ordinator Role are also positively correlated with performance, these can impede the performance of less developed teams.