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Do you see what I see? The effect of members’ cognitive styles on team processes and errors in task execution

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  • Aggarwal, Ishani
  • Woolley, Anita Williams

Abstract

This research investigates the effect of members’ cognitive styles on team processes that affect errors in execution tasks. In two laboratory studies, we investigated how a team’s composition (members’ cognitive styles related to object and spatial visualization) affects the team’s strategic focus and strategic consensus, and how those affect the team’s commission of errors. Study 1, conducted with 70 dyads performing a navigation and identification task, established that teams high in spatial visualization are more process-focused than teams high in object visualization. Process focus, which pertains to a team’s attention to the details of conducting a task, is associated with fewer errors. Study 2, conducted with 64 teams performing a building task, established that heterogeneity in cognitive style is negatively associated with the formation of a strategic consensus, which has a direct and mediating relationship with errors.

Suggested Citation

  • Aggarwal, Ishani & Woolley, Anita Williams, 2013. "Do you see what I see? The effect of members’ cognitive styles on team processes and errors in task execution," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 122(1), pages 92-99.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:122:y:2013:i:1:p:92-99
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2013.04.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Daniels, David P. & Neale, Margaret A. & Greer, Lindred L., 2017. "Spillover bias in diversity judgment," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 92-105.
    5. Ishani Aggarwal & Anita Williams Woolley, 2019. "Team Creativity, Cognition, and Cognitive Style Diversity," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 65(4), pages 1586-1599, April.
    6. Larisa Korganashvili, 2018. "Georgia in the World Merchandise Trade: Main Trends and Problems of Development," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 4, ejes_v4_i.
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    9. Stephany, Fabian & Teutloff, Ole, 2024. "What is the price of a skill? The value of complementarity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(1).
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