Teamwork

Abstract

This study explored what team members think of teams. A phenomenological inquiry perspective, qualitative research methods, and a case study approach were utilized in this study. Teamwork actions were observed in the actions of 27 study participants located in four diverse businesses throughout one Midwestern state. Data were collected from field observations, formal and informal interviews. During data analysis, Greer’s ideas about the information transfer process served as access points to identify elements of teamwork performance. CreswelTs framework for analysis of similarities and differences of social performance identified recurring themes for further investigation. Study results specified differences and similarities between teams and teamwork in organizations of varying structure. Also indicated was variation concerning organizations promoting the use of teamwork and research findings. The findings also specified recurrent themes for successful teams revealed by the team members themselves. These themes were, respect, pride in one’s work, oral/written/listening communieation skills, being a self-starter, socialization experiences, and diversity of team members. As a final point the results indicated team members felt it was essential to have team experience, knowledge, and trust. Based on these results, the researcher deduced that teamwork study findings also suggested restructuring teams with regard to team dynamics promotes a more successful experience in teams. Team members themselves indicated that diversity and practice were two essential components for achieving optimal results in teamwork. Teamwork can be an effective means of information transfer among team members, communication orally, written and speaking rated as high determinants of teamwork success. Study findings additionally suggested that rethinking business and educational institutions professional development and curriculum based on increasing understandings of teamwork construct knowledge could lead to benefits for team members, managers, as well as educational institutions in the future.