Effects of training on collaboration: chunk sharing and performance

Abstract

This article explores the effects of implicit and explicit training on team outcomes and processes. An experiment was conducted in which physically dispersed teams made resource allocation decisions while supported with a shared virtual work surface. Teams needed to recognise patterns and collaborate to allocate their resources appropriately. Two different pattern-training methods were used; one presents the patterns in discrete elements (implicit), and the other as complete chunks (explicit). Dependent measures included outcome quality, resource allocation time and resource allocation conflict. Teams trained implicitly had significantly higher performance when compared to teams trained to recognise patterns as explicit 'chunks'.