From Groupthink to Teamthink: Toward the Creation of Constructive Thought Patterns in Self-Managing Work Teams

Christopher P. Neck, Charles C. Manz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Groups have been subject to a number of weaknesses and problems that interfere with their effectiveness. One notable destructive group tendency has been labeled “groupthink”-a defective decision-making process afflicting highly cohesive and conforming groups (Janis, 1972, 1983). One contemporary type of group that appears particularly vulnerable to groupthink is the self-managing or self-directing team (Manz & Sims, 1982). In this article we examine the vulnerability of self-managing teams to groupthink and propose a theory regarding the establishment of constructive synergistic team thinking and problem solving-“teamthink.”.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)929-952
Number of pages24
JournalHuman Relations
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • groupthink
  • self-managing work teams
  • teamthink

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Social Sciences(all)
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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