Section Twocycles. Empirical analysis of the long-term performance of work
teams involved in business simulations has provided some
evidence of their effectiveness.^47
In spite of the advantages, there also are disadvantages
with the use of work teams as they are sometimes subject to
the dysfunctional groupthink phenomenon and norms of
production restriction. Further, as researchers Eric Sundstrom,
Kenneth P. De Meuse, and David Futrell have pointed out, the
literature on work teams provides mixed evidence on their
effectiveness and identifies a large number of factors that
potentially influence work team effectiveness. These include
developmental aspects, the boundaries of the teams, and the
organizational context.^48 There also are examples of difficulties
with the implementation of teams such as Levi Strauss, where
the introduction of teams led to declines in productivity and
morale.^49
Although work team effectiveness is a complex subject,
effective work teams have some common characteristics. Such
characteristics include relatively small size, dedication to a
common purpose, commitment to common performance
standards, willingness to be collectively accountable, equitable
and effective work and role assignment procedures within the
team, and complementary skills. Effective work teams also