Investigation of the Effects of Team Coaching, Performance Feedback, and Collective Efficacy on Small Group Performance

Research has demonstrated that there are a variety of factors that influence group performance such as team coaching, feedback, and collective efficacy. A study was conducted to determine whether consultative team coaching improves performance and at what point--beginning or middle--it is most beneficial to the team. One hundred eleven dyads, comprised of 222 students, participated in this study. The dyads performed a task twice in which they were given team coaching before the first attempt, after the first attempt, or not at all. In addition, feedback was manipulated such that teams received positive or negative feedback after their first attempt of the task. Each participant filled out questionnaires assessing collective efficacy, group goals, and group cohesiveness at three different times--beginning, middle, and end--over the course of the study. Results indicated there was a significant main effect of team coaching, however it was due to superior performance by groups in the no coaching condition during the first performance period. In addition, there were significant Time x Coaching interactions predicting group cohesiveness and group goals. Overall, collective efficacy was positively related to group goals and group cohesiveness. Furthermore, collective efficacy was positively related to group performance such that group performance influenced the team\u27s collective efficacy. Moreover, team coaching led to strategy improvement. Limitations of current study and implications for further research are discussed