The Physical Environment and Action Team Performance: Evidence From NASCAR Pit Crews

Abstract

In this study we examine the relationship between two elements of the physical environment (workspace density and temperature) and performance in an action team context. We hypothesize that high levels of workspace density are beneficial for team performance and high temperature is detrimental to team performance. We further hypothesize that team processes will moderate these relationships. Using data on NASCAR pit crews, we found that workspace density behaved as we expected, as the highest performance levels held for teams with good team processes in an environment of high workspace density. For temperature, however, teams with better team processes actually suffered the most loss in performance due to high temperature. These findings suggest a need for more research on the effect of physical environmental factors on team performance.