The influence of complexity and uncertainty on self-directed team learning

Abstract

To help increase the effectiveness of self–directed teams, this paper studies the attitudes and behaviour of self–directed team members during the course of a computer simulated marketing strategy game. Self–directed teams are used widely throughout organisations yet receive little scrutiny when they undertake a task which is subject to conditions of multi–period complexity and uncertainty. To explore the issues involved 42 teams of final year undergraduate marketing students completed online self–report questionnaires during the completion of a competitive marketing strategy simulation game. The research findings reveal team performance as a dynamic construct that is predicted by prior period performance and team resilience, but not emotional intelligence which is negatively related to team performance. It is hoped that future examinations of this model will highlight the need for management to be cognizant of these outcomes when designing training and intervention programmes to enable them to cope better with complex tasks and uncertainty.