Relationship between Teamwork and Team Performance: Experiences from an ERPsim Competition

Much interest exists in using Enterprise Resource Planning simulation (ERPsim) games to help students learn complex concepts involved in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. However, little research has explored factors that contribute to team performance duringan ERPsim game. The current study investigated teamwork as a contributor to team performance in the context of a competition. The research measured teamwork in five dimensions: contributing to the team’s work, interacting with teammates, keeping the teamon track, expecting quality, and having relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA). Net income was the measure for team performance. Participants also rated their satisfaction with their team. Data from 62 student teams showedthat all five teamwork dimensions had a positive correlation with net income. Moreover, all correlations were statistically significant except the relationship between keeping the team on track and net income. Teams with relevant KSA were more likely to generate higher net income. Expecting quality was the second most significant dimension, followed by interacting with teammates and contributing to the team’s work. All five teamwork dimensions had a significant positive correlation with team satisfaction.This research suggests that students will likely engage in good teamwork during a game if it is set up as a high-stakes competition. Additionally, good teamwork will likely result in higher team performance and satisfaction. The evidence should encourage more widespread adoption of ERPsim gamesas a means for teaching and assessing teamwork in addition to learning ERP concepts