Types of KSAs and levels of task interdependence : their effects on internal processes and outcomes of teams performing a production task

Abstract

This study examined the effects of team composition based on task- and teamrelated knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) on internal processes and outcomes of production teams. After being screened for task- and team-related KSAs, 44 groups of four individuals were formed. Team composition was systematically manipulated into combinations of high and low task- and team-related KSAs. Teams performed the Circuit Board Assembly Task © under two conditions of task interdependence. Hypotheses were tested with repeated measures analysis of variance or analysis of covariance at the group-level of analysis. Levels of task interdependence were related to two group internal processes (i.e., communication and task conflict) and one type of group outcome (i.e., quantity of output). In addition, specific task-related KSAs at the group-level were associated with quantity of output. Findings are discussed from theoretical and empirical perspectives along with the presentation of suggestions for future team composition research. Implications for theory and practice are also presented.