Team Problem Solving Research Articles

Rowing in the Same Direction Using MIX—A Tool to Initiate the Melding of Individual Disciplinary Experts into an Integrated Interdisciplinary Team

A common problem for interdisciplinary sustainability research is that scientists trained in different disciplines are often not rowing their boat effectively in the same direction. Sustainability tools can aid the implementation of this team-melding process. Here, our purpose is to illustrate our Multi-step Integrated graphical and structured discussion eXercise (MIX) tool that transforms diverse disciplinary experts into an interdisciplinary team. We use a visual puzzle-solving approach based on the blind men and the elephant metaphor (BMEM) because this story illustrates the shortcomings of siloed viewpoints and the need to integrate multiple perspectives. Our six-step MIX tool provides step-specific objectives, group activities, discussion questions, and learning outcomes. Activities promote experiential learning for team problem solving. The step-specific structured discussions are designed to get each individual to change their focus from their own discipline (i.e., an elephant trunk, tail, leg, or other isolated pieces of the whole animal) to the team’s interdisciplinary goal (i.e., the whole elephant or the entire multi-faceted problem). In our example proof of concept, we show that a narrow focus on only economic yield (trunk), ecological conservation (legs), or human values (tail) misrepresents the biologically involved sustainability problem (elephant) and blocks innovative solutions.

Matrix Structure and Manpower Development: A Paradigm Shift

The paper examine matrix structure and manpower development;a paradigm shift. The aim of this research is to determine the extent to which matrix structure improves an organisational manpower effectiveness as well as to ascertain how matrix structure increase organisational manpower efficiency. The content analysis methodology was used in this study. The data and information used in this study are from the existing literature and previous studies. The secondary data sources include textbooks, journal articles, reports and internet. Research question raised in this paper was explored by the concept of matrix structure. The findings of the research reveal that team motivation, problem solving, skills and knowledge acquired on the job enhance manpower effectiveness while the managerial skills required in the matrix structure centred on positive on the positive achievement of the firm and individual employee. The study recommends that careful attention should be paid to the creation of matrix structure in terms of coordination, communication and control.

Factors affecting problem-solving court team decisions about medications for opioid use disorder

BackgroundProblem-solving courts (PSCs) provide alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for drug-related crimes and offer integrated support for people who have lost custody of children due to drug use. Methadone and buprenorphine are lifesaving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) but are underused by PSC clients. Even when PSCs lack a court-level prohibition against MOUD, court staff still make individualized decisions about whether a court client can use MOUD. Therefore, we sought to identify factors involved in such individualized PSC court decisions about clients' use of MOUD. MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups between Summer and Fall 2022 with a convenience sample of 54 PSC staff members from 33 courts across four states. Data were analyzed using iterative categorization. ResultsInterviewees indicated that their courts had eliminated blanket prohibitions against MOUD due to federal and state policy funding requirements, widespread dissemination of voluntary best practice standards, fear of lawsuits, and MOUD education targeting courts. Courts allowed MOUD if the court client accessed it through a treatment provider with whom the court collaborates. Some courts only allowed court clients to access MOUD from non-partnering treatment providers after a court-led “vetting” process of the proposed MOUD provider. MOUD provider characteristics considered during the vetting process included the provider's willingness to communicate with the court, frequent drug testing, adjustments of medication or dosage in response to aberrant results, offering of counseling, and acceptance of Medicaid or sliding scale payments. PSC staff were least comfortable with court clients using methadone treatment. ConclusionsThe presence (or lack of) a PSC-MOUD partnership is a key factor involved in court staff decisions when a court client desires MOUD. Therefore, increasing the number of partnerships between PSCs and MOUD providers could lead to higher rates of MOUD utilization. It is unclear whether court-led vetting processes for non-partnering MOUD treatment providers are necessary or appropriate, and such vetting processes could reduce treatment choice or access in communities with few MOUD providers.

Analysis Of Soft Skills Of Students Of The Faculty Of Economics, Jakarta State University In Facing The World Of Work

This research aims to determine the soft skills needed by students at the Faculty of Economics, Jakarta State University in facing the world of work. This research uses qualitative research methods, where the data collection process is carried out through filling out questionnaires, interviews and observations. The analysis technique used is data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The validity of the data was tested using triangulation techniques. Based on research results, currently students have mastered several soft skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, public relations, problem solving, team work and time management. Meanwhile, the soft skills that students need in the future to face the world of work are team work, problem solving, public relations, public speaking and leadership. When compared with the soft skill indicators used in this research, in general students have three of the five abilities needed to face the world of work, where these three abilities are emotional intelligence, problem solving, and leadership. Currently, students need to focus on improving the soft skills they already have to be truly ready to enter the world of work.

Team Problem-Solving with Agile Business Process to Improve Employee Performance Using NVIVO Analysis at PT XYZ

Team Problem-Solving with Agile Business Process to Improve Employee Performance Using NVIVO Analysis at PT XYZ

The effect of a collective competence intervention on collective efficacy, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing: a quasi-experimental study of a sample of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

The health crisis associated with COVID-19 led to a period of increased demand on the operational and social organization of healthcare centers, which often had a negative impact on the psychological and social wellbeing of healthcare workers. In order to tackle this issue, an intervention plan was designed to develop collective competences through various participatory strategies. This study sought to determine the effect of this intervention on the variables collective efficacy, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing in healthcare workers by performing a pretest and posttest comparison with a control group. The variables were evaluated using a non-probability, purposive sample of 80 healthcare workers from three Family Healthcare Centers (CESFAM) located in the Coquimbo Region, Chile, within health crisis context. The intervention group was composed of voluntary participants, while the control group only completed the evaluations. The intervention consisted in 6 training workshops focused on improving collective management, group synergy, collaborative problem-solving, communicative strategies, and overall team care. The analysis shows that the collective competence intervention had a positive effect on the collective efficacy, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing of the participating healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Only specific factors of these variables did not undergo a significant impact. The results of this study suggest that interventions aimed at improving collective organizational competences, apart from increasing collective efficacy, can have a positive impact on healthcare workers' psychological and social wellbeing in a context of occupational adversity.

Unlocking team performance: How shared mental models drive proactive problem-solving

Do shared mental models support proactive problem-solving? Research on shared cognition suggests that shared mental models aid team performance by improving coordination between team members’ actions. However, these models can also lead to groupthink, potentially diminishing team members’ proactive problem-solving behaviors. Based on social identity theory, this study examines how shared mental models influence proactive problem-solving at the individual and team levels. We propose that shared mental models about work tasks and team dynamics are crucial for promoting proactive problem-solving behaviors and coordinating team efforts. To test our theory, we conducted multilevel path analyses with survey data from 266 individuals across 48 teams in 13 Italian manufacturing companies. Our results indicate that the degree to which individuals align their task- and team-related mental models impacts both their tendency to proactively solve problems and their ability to coordinate team problem-solving. We also find that the adoption of proactive problem-solving behaviors and team effort coordination are linked to enhanced team performance.

Problem-Based Learning and Academic Performance in Medical Technology at A Peruvian Public University

Introduction: Problem-based learning is a didactic strategy that induces autonomous, meaningful, cooperative, and collaborative learning in students. Objective: To describe the relationship between the didactic strategy of Problem-Based Learning and the academic performance of Radiodiagnosis at the School of Medical Technology at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Methods: A pedagogical research was conducted at the undergraduate level, of a descriptive type. The universe consisted of 144 students belonging to the Professional School of Medical Technology in the Radiology area of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, who were taking all the subjects, and the sample consisted of 30 students from the Radiodiagnosis subject. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied. To obtain the information, a survey was conducted, following informed consent. Results: The 43.3% have a good evaluation of problem management through the PBL method; 33.3% have a good evaluation of problem orientation and solution search; 36.7% have a good evaluation of team problem-solving; 63.3% have a good evaluation of the integration of previous knowledge; 30.0% have a good evaluation of conclusions in problem-solving; 56.7% have a good evaluation of the PBL method; 43.3% have good academic performance; 60.0% have a good learning category. Conclusion: There are potentials in problem-based learning in the Radiodiagnosis subject among students.

Adaptation Through Communication: Assessing Human–Artificial Intelligence Partnership for the Design of Complex Engineering Systems

Abstract Exploring the opportunities for incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support team problem-solving has been the focus of intensive ongoing research. However, while the incorporation of such AI tools into human team problem-solving can improve team performance, it is still unclear what modality of AI integration will lead to a genuine human–AI partnership capable of mimicking the dynamic adaptability of humans. This work unites human designers with AI Partners as fellow team members who can both reactively and proactively collaborate in real-time toward solving a complex and evolving engineering problem. Team performance and problem-solving behaviors are examined using the HyForm collaborative research platform, which uses an online collaborative design environment that simulates a complex interdisciplinary design problem. The problem constraints are unexpectedly changed midway through problem-solving to simulate the nature of dynamically evolving engineering problems. This work shows that after the unexpected design constraints change, or shock, is introduced, human–AI hybrid teams perform similarly to human teams, demonstrating the capability of AI Partners to adapt to unexpected events. Nonetheless, hybrid teams do struggle more with coordination and communication after the shock is introduced. Overall, this work demonstrates that these AI design partners can participate as active partners within human teams during a large, complex task, showing promise for future integration in practice.

Problem solving team interventions: Web-based and consultant-based experimental evaluations

This research was designed to develop, implement, and evaluate an assessment and intervention protocol to increase problem-solving teams' (PSTs) adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices aimed at students with disruptive behavior problems. Participants included 15 PSTs. Adopting single-case design methodology, we examined whether a customized set of assessment and intervention consultant-led intervention procedures could be used to improve the activities, process, and recommendations of PSTs compared to a web-based intervention. We were interested in evaluating two variations of the problem-solving model based on the team initiated problem-solving (TIPS) approach. TIPS includes steps to successful problem solving and solution implementation for student academic and behavioral concerns. Based on visual analysis and statistical randomization tests, we found that a teleconsultation web-based model of PST intervention was not effective in improving the functioning of the PST. In contrast, a customized, consultation-led intervention model with PST facilitators that followed this approach was found to be effective in improving both the foundation and thoroughness of the PST's problem solving. Implications of future PST improvement models for practice and research are discussed.

Understanding Collaborative Design Practice Through Self-Study

Designing online teacher professional development (oTPD) grounded in participatory practices is complex. An intense interdisciplinary collaboration of teacher educators, online learning experts, and instructional designers is needed. Achieving shared understanding is essential for successful collaboration, yet varied perspectives of interdisciplinary experts can cause tensions. Under the right conditions, conflict can be positive and productive. This study of collaborative design practice examined the process of aligning technology and pedagogy when designing participatory oTPD using the self-study methodology. Data analysis revealed relevant interrelationships and uncovered a consistent pattern related to purposeful use of technology. While self-study was an effective inquiry method and provided valuable insights into our practice, it also fostered an environment of trust and collaborative knowledge exchange necessary for successful joint problem solving, cognitive synchronization, and innovation in interdisciplinary design teams.

What are the benefits of more women in engineering?

Previous work has investigated why the gender disparity within engineering exists and draws on examples from other works to show the benefits of a diverse problem-solving team. This paper seeks to establish the specific examples of benefits that women have brought to engineering over time. From interviews with engineering practitioners, the issues surrounding “excellent women engineers” are explored, as well as the need for women engineers to engage in further training to feel as if they are deemed competent and accepted as an engineer, as opposed to male engineers who appear to accept their work can support their competence. The themes extracted also include issues with male-only engineering circles, self-acceptance of competency in men and women and the role of men in attracting more women to the industry.

The impact of total quality management on the relationship with suppliers and customers: the case of pharmaceutical Jordanian companies

The study aimed to define the contribution of total quality management in relations with suppliers and customers in Jordanian pharmaceutical companies. The study population consisted of pharmaceutical companies in Jordan targeting individuals in supervisory positions in these companies. A total of 170 responses were received. The results of the study found that Jordanian pharmaceutical companies apply total quality management in terms of “commitment of senior management, employee empowerment, strategic planning for quality”, which had positive relationships with suppliers and customers. It indicates that total quality management and supply chain practices, especially the relationship with suppliers and customers, are among the basic concepts that work to improve supply chain performance. The study recommends devoting the necessary attention and care to empowering workers, and this is where the essential role-play for senior management is to create interest among employees in their work and jobs through training programs. However, developing methods of collective motivation, participating in setting goals, making decisions, and displaying the image of the work “Family” and forming problem-solving teams for the purpose of achieving empowerment is also important.

Case Study in Hypothesis Prioritization with Ishikawa Diagrams

Abstract The objective of this paper is to explore a multidisciplinary problem-solving team investigating a customer-reported failure using an Ishikawa diagram with a spreadsheet for prioritizing and tracking investigation actions in a manufacturing organization. A case study methodology is used with the actions taken to investigate a customer-reported failure explained. The highest priority failure hypothesis was found to be unrelated to the failure. Two medium-rated hypotheses were found to be causing the problem; leakage was occurring at the connection between two components due to a diameter deviation of one of the components. Identifying and prioritizing hypotheses from the Ishikawa diagram provided structure to the investigation and gave the investigation team leader a tool for tracking the investigation actions. This approach is suitable for all types of failure investigations in which an Ishikawa diagram is used to list hypotheses.

The Relationship of Executive’s Leadership Skills in 21st Century towards Staff’s Work Performance in Thailand

This study investigates the 21st century leadership skills of executives and their relation to the work performance of staff. A sample of 30 staff members was selected using simple random sampling, and two questionnaires were used to collect data on leadership skills and work performance. The reliability of the questionnaires was established at 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. The statistical method used for data analysis included descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, and Pearson's correlation. The findings revealed that the 21st century leadership skills of executives were overall at a high level, with the highest average scores obtained in the planning and directing skills and creativity, followed by communication, technology, and information. However, decision-making and problem-solving skills and team building skills received the lowest average scores. On the other hand, the development of work performance of staff was also overall at a high level, with the highest average score obtained in the performance aspect, and the lowest average score in the relationship with the community. Furthermore, the results indicated a positive moderate-level correlation between the 21st century leadership skills of executives and the development of work performance of staff at a statistically significant level of 1 percent.

Integration mechanisms for material suppliers in the construction supply chain: a systematic literature review

The construction industry has long been criticized for its fragmented, inefficient, and uncoordinated supply chain. Thus, construction companies are actively looking for new strategies to overcome these issues and to improve their productivity. Supply chain integration is one strategy and many articles have addressed the mechanisms to help integrate the construction supply chain. However, little interest has been paid to material supplier integration despite their important role and their vast experience in the market. Hence, this study aims to identify the mechanisms that could contribute to facilitate material supplier integration in the construction supply chain. A systematic literature review was conducted to uncover the studies on this topic. A total of 310 articles were reviewed and analyzed to first reveal six integration mechanism categories: supplier qualification, supplier development program, contractual and relational policies, information sharing and integration systems, joint team working and problem solving, as well as supplier integration evaluation. Secondly, this study proposes a roadmap to illustrate when these mechanisms should be implemented in a construction project, according to both the project phases and the project delivery system. Finally, research gaps in the field are identified as well as future research directions that could be further explored by researchers and professionals.

Are School-Based Problem-Solving Teams Effective? A Meta-Analysis of Student- and Systems-Level Effects

ABSTRACT Given the widespread use of school-based problem-solving teams (SB PSTs), empirical evidence establishing their effectiveness is essential. Guided by the Input-Mediator-Output-Input (IMOI) Framework, this meta-analysis examined SB PST effectiveness generally and differentiated measured effects by targeted outcomes and specific SB PST processes used. Data from 13 studies (14 effects) yielded a large overall weighted estimate of effect (g = 0.84). Measured SB PST effects on student outcomes (e.g. academic or behavioral improvement) appeared large (g = 0.89), on systems outcomes (i.e., reduction in referrals to special education) were moderate (g = 0.66), and on team outcomes (i.e., procedural fidelity) appeared large (g = 1.00). Although not a significant moderator of effect, team use of an evidence-based process was associated with larger effects (g = 1.78, k = 8). Similarly, although non-significant, studies that met rigorous, published standards for research methods showed larger outcome effects (g = 1.10, k = 2).

Studying Consensus and Disagreement during Problem Solving in Teams through Learning and Response Generation Agents Model

Understanding the process of reaching consensus or disagreement between the members of a team is critical in many situations. Consensus and disagreement can refer to various aspects, such as requirements that are collectively perceived to be important, shared goals, and solutions that are jointly considered to be realistic and effective. Getting insight on how the end result of the interaction process is influenced by parameters such as the similarity of the participants’ experience and behavior (e.g., their available concepts, the produced responses and their utility, the preferred response generation method, and so on) is important for optimizing team performance and for devising novel applications, i.e., systems for tutoring or self-improvement and smart human computer interfaces. However, understanding the process of reaching consensus or disagreement in teams raises a number of challenges as participants interact with each other through verbal communications that express new ideas created based on their experience, goals, and input from other participants. Social and emotional cues during interaction are important too. This paper presents a new model, called Learning and Response Generating Agents, for studying the interaction process during problem solving in small teams. As compared to similar work, the model, grounded in work in psychology and sociology, studies consensus and disagreement formation when agents interact with each other through symbolic, dynamically-produced responses with clauses of different types, ambiguity, multiple abstraction levels, and associated emotional intensity and utility.

Does (mis)communication mitigate the upshot of diversity?

This paper contributes to the literature on how diversity impacts groups by exploring how communication mediates the ability of diverse individuals to work together. To do so we incorporate a communication channel into a representative model of problem-solving by teams of diverse agents that provides the foundations for one of the most widely cited analytical results in the literature on diversity and team performance: the "Diversity Trumps Ability Theorem". We extend the model to account for the fact that communication between agents is a necessary feature of team problem-solving, and we introduce the possibility that this communication occurs with error, and that this error might sometimes be correlated with how different agents are from one another. Accounting for communication does not give us reason to reject the claim associated with the theorem, that functionally diverse teams tend to outperform more homogeneous teams (even when the homogeneous teams are comprised of individuals with more task relevant expertise). However, incorporating communication into our model clarifies the role that four factors play in moderating the extent to which teams capture the benefits of functional diversity: i) the complexity of the problem, ii) the number of available approaches to solving the problem, iii) the ways of encoding or conceptualizing a problem, and iv) institutional characteristics, such as how teams work together. Specifically, we find that whether (and to what extent) teams capture the benefits of functional diversity depends on how these four factors interact with one another. Particularly important is the role institutional dynamics (like search methods) play in moderating or amplifying interpersonal frictions (like miscommunication), and notably we find that institutions that work in one setting can be counterproductive in other settings.

DTMethod: A New Evidence-Based Design Thinking Methodology for Effective Teamwork

Design thinking (DT) emerged as a popular method of problem solving and idea generation in creative teams. However, despite the rapid increase in interest in DT as a practical tool, evidence for its effectiveness is rather scarce. Furthermore, neither the theory underlying the methods used in DT nor the definition of DT is coherent. As such, we have decided to introduce a new approach to DT by designing an evidence-based methodology and testing its efficacy among teams working on a specific task. In this article, we present the design thinking method (DTMethod), developed by an interdisciplinary team of practitioners and academics. We also present empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the DTMethod in the teamwork setting. In our study of 39 teams, we found that by using the DTMethod teams achieved more favorable results in terms of utility and meeting set requirements but not in terms of cost or time efficiency. We also found that individuals working according to the DTMethod reported experiencing less positive emotional states but were, overall, more satisfied with the experience and rated teamwork more favorably in terms of cohesiveness and team effort.