Multilevel Theory of Team Decision Making Decision Performance in Teams Incorporating Distributed Expertise

• Published in: Journal of applied psychology Vol. 80; no. 2; pp. 292 - 316
• Main Authors: Hollenbeck, John R, Ilgen, Daniel R, Sego, Douglas J, Hedlund, Jennifer, Major, Debra A, Phillips, Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-04-1995; American Psychological Association, etc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; College students; Decision making; Decision making models; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Group Decision Making; Human; Interdisciplinary team work; Job Experience Level; Occupational psychology; Organization and management. Professional relation; Organizational behavior; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Statistical analysis; Studies; Teams; Teamwork; Theories; Theory; United States > US; Human; Social decision; Professional performance; Group composition; Professional experience; Decision making; Team work; Adult; Models; Expertise; Hierarchized structure; Judgment
• ISSN: 0021-9010; 1939-1854
• DOI: 10.1037/0021-9010.80.2.292

The purpose of this research was to develop and test a theory of decision-making performance for hierarchical teams with distributed expertise. This theory identifies 3 core team-level constructs (team informity, staff validity, and hierarchical sensitivity) and 3 constructs below the team level that are central to decision-making accuracy in hierarchical teams with distributed expertise. Two studies are presented to test the proposed theory. A total of 492 college students worked on a computerized command-and-control simulator. Results from these studies are discussed in light of the theory. Similarities and differences in results across the 2 studies are discussed, as are potential modifications of the theory considering the data. Finally, implications of the theory for applied team contexts are elaborated.