BMGT44760 The Science of Teams

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course will introduce students to scientific research on group and team behavior in organisational settings. The focus is on the interpersonal processes and structural characteristics that influence the effectiveness of teams and their development over time. The format of the course is a sequence of team and group exercises and case analyses which are framed by a series of readings, lectures, and in-depth class discussions. Key content includes:

Introduction & Types of Teams and Groups
Effective Team Decision Making
Team Communication & Conflict
Team Creativity & Innovation
Leading Teams
Designing Teams
Cross-Cultural Teams
Multi-Team Systems
Team Case Competition

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Curricular information is subject to change

What will I learn?

Learning Outcomes:

Students who take advantage of everything this course has to offer will be proficient in identifying and understanding credible information on the science of teams and will be adept in participating and managing a wide variety of group and team enterprises. The following is a partial list of objectives achieved by researching and practicing the science of teams:

1. Become a more knowledgeable team member and leader: Achieved by reading and discussing foundational literature on teams as well as cutting edge scientific literature. Supported by analyzing the case of a team in distress and identifying root causes of problems and using evidence-based research to design and defend an intervention.

2. Become a more effective team member and leader: Achieved through practice in a series of carefully designed team exercises which challenge students to effectively and efficiently organize communication and workflows, design teams for high performance, intervene in disruptive conflict, work in asynchronous and virtual environments, navigate power and politics within teams, and to evaluate and reward team performance.

3. Become a more reflective team member and leader: Achieved through verbal and written individual and team reflection on team dynamics and performance.