Managerial Solutions that Increase the Effect of Group Synergy and Reduce Social Loafing

Vveinhardt, Jolita; Banikonytė, Justina

doi:10.1515/mosr-2017-0019

Abstract

Reduction of social loafing in the organization and increase of group synergy are integral objectives of human resource management, setting high requirements to the quality of managerial solutions. The purpose of this research is to develop managerial solutions that increase the effect of group synergy and reduce the spread of social loafing. The article analyses the concept of the social loafing phenomenon distinguishing the essential demotivators in work groups of organizations. The reasons of occurrence and existence of social loafing are analysed as well, differentiating them into groups. The authors also discuss beliefs and behaviour of employees in organizations that lead to the emergence and (or) suppression of the social loafing phenomenon. Based on a comparative and systemic logical analysis of scientific literature, as well as the results of empirical research, there are developed managerial solutions using the modelling method.

References

1. Barnes, C. M., Hollenbeck, J. R., Jundt, D. K., DeRue, S. D., Harmon, S. J. (2011). Mixing Individual Incentives and Group Incentives: Best of Both Worlds or Social Dilemma? // Journal of Management. Vol. 34, No. 6, pp. 1611–1635. doi: 10.1177/0149206309360845.10.1177/0149206309360845
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
2. Baruah, J., Paulus, P. B. (2009). Enhancing Group Creativity: The Search for Synergy. In Elizabeth A. Mannix, Jack A. Goncalo, Margaret A. Neale (ed.) Creativity in Groups (Research on Managing Groups and Teams, Volume 12) Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp. 29–56.10.1108/S1534-0856(2009)0000012005
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
3. Bluhm, D. J. (2009). Adaptive Consequences of Social Loafing // Academy of Management Journal. Vol. 1, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.5465/AMBPP.2009.44256422.10.5465/AMBPP.2009.44256422
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
4. Brickner, M. A., Harkins, S. G., Ostrom, T. M. (1986). Effects of Personal Involvement: Thought-Provoking Implications for Social Loafing // Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 763–769. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.51.4.763.10.1037/0022-3514.51.4.763
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
5. Chen, F., Zhang, L., Latimer, J. (2014). How much has My Co-Worker Contributed? The Impact of Anonymity and Feedback on Social Loafing in Asynchronous Virtual Collaboration // International Journal of Information Management. Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 652–659. doi: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2014.05.001.10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2014.05.001
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
6. Chen, X. P., Bachrach, D. G. (2003). Tolerance of Free-Riding: The Effects of Defection Size, Defection Pattern, and Social Orientation in A Repeated Public Goods Dilema // Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. Vol. 90, No. 1, pp. 139–147. doi: 10.1016/S0749-5978(02)00511-3.10.1016/S0749-5978(02)00511-3
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
7. Comer, D. R. (1995). A Model of Social Loafing in Real Work Groups // Human Relations. Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 647–667. doi: 10.1177/001872679504800603.10.1177/001872679504800603
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
8. Czyz, S. H., Szmajke, A., Kruger, A., Kübler, M. (2016). Participation in Team Sports can Eliminate the Effect of Social Loafing // Perceptual and Motor Skills. Vol. 123, No. 3, pp. 754–768. doi: 10.1177/0031512516664938.10.1177/0031512516664938
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
9. Diamond. P. (1987). Synergy: Working Together to Make One Plus One Equal Four // Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources. Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 73–79. doi: 10.1177/10384111870250010910.1177/103841118702500109
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
10. Ferrante, C. J., Green, S. G., Forster, W. R. (2006). Getting More Out of Team Projects: Incentivizing Leadership to Enhance Performance // Journal of Management Education. Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 788–797. doi: 10.1177/1052562906287968.10.1177/1052562906287968
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
11. Gabriel, Y., Griffiths, D. S. (2008). International Learning Groups: Synergies and Dysfunctions // Management Learning. Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 503–518. doi: 10.1177/1350507608096038.10.1177/1350507608096038
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
12. George, J. M. (1992). Extrinsic and Intrinsic Origins of Perceived Social Loafing in Organizations // Academy of Management Journal. Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 191–202. doi: 10.2307/256478.10.2307/256478
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
13. Guerin, B. (1999). Social Behaviors as Determined by Different Arrangements of Social Consequences: Social Loafing, Social Facilitation, Deindividuation, and a Modified Social Loafing // The Psychological Record. Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 565–577. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF033.10.1007/BF03395327
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
14. Heuzé, J. P., Brunel, P. C. (2011). Social Loafing in a Competitive Context // International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 246–263. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2003.9671717.10.1080/1612197X.2003.9671717
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
15. Høigaard, R., Säfvenbom, R., Tønnessen, F. E. (2006a). The Relationship between Group Cohesion, Group Norms, and Perceived Social Loafing in Soccer Teams // Small Group Research. Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 217–232. doi: 10.1177/1046496406287311.10.1177/1046496406287311
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
16. Høigaard, R., Tofteland, I., Ommundsen, Y. (2006b). The Effect of Team Cohesion on Social Loafing in Relay Teams // International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences. Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 59–73.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
17. Hung, T. K., Chi, N. W., Lu, W. L. (2009). Exploring the Relationships between Perceived Coworker Loafing and Counterproductive Work Behaviors: The Mediating Role of a Revenge Motive // Journal of Business and Psychology. Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 257–270. doi: 10.1007/s10869-009-9104-6.10.1007/s10869-009-9104-6
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
18. Yoshimura, M., Yoshikawa, K. (1998). Synergy Effects of Sharing Knowledge During Cooperative Product Design // Concurrent Engineering. Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 7–14. doi: 10.1177/1063293X9800600102.10.1177/1063293X9800600102
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
19. Jezerskytė, E., Žydžiūnaitė, V. (2005). Comparing Teamwork Competencies of the School Administration and Educators: The Aspects of Groupthink (Avoidance) and Social Loafing // Social Sciences. Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 87–95.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
20. Jones, G. W., Høigaard, R., Peters, D. M. (2014). “Just Going Through the Motions..”: A Qualitative Exploration of Athlete Perceptions of Social Loafing in Training and Competition Contexts – Implications for Team Sport Coaches // International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. Vol. 9, No. 5, pp. 1067–1082. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.9.5.1067.10.1260/1747-9541.9.5.1067
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
21. Karau, S. J., Williams, K. D. (1993). Social Loafing: A Meta-Analytic Review and Theoretical Integration // Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol. 65, No. 4, pp. 681–706. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.65.4.681.10.1037/0022-3514.65.4.681
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
22. Karau, S. J., Williams, K. D. (1995). Social Loafing: Research Findings, Implications, and Future Directions // Current Directions in Psychological Science. Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 134–140. doi: 10.1111/1467-8721.ep10772570.10.1111/1467-8721.ep10772570
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
23. Kovach, K. A., Cathcart, C. E. (1999). Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS): Providing Business with Rapid Data Access, Information Exchange and Strategic Advantage // Public Personnel Management. Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 275–282. doi: 10.1177/009102609902800208.10.1177/009102609902800208
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
24. Lam, Ch. (2015). The Role of Communication and Cohesion in Reducing Social Loafing in Group Projects // Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 454–475. doi: 10.1177/2329490615596417.10.1177/2329490615596417
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
25. Larson, J. R. (2007). Deep Diversity and Strong Synergy: Modeling the Impact of Variability in Members’ Problem-Solving Strategies on Group Problem-Solving Performance // Small Group Research. Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 413–436. doi: 10.1177/1046496407301972.10.1177/1046496407301972
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
26. Latane, B., Williams, K., Harkins, S. (1979). Many Hands Make Light the Work: The Causes and Consequences of Social Loafing // Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol. 37, No. 6, pp. 822–832. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.37.6.822.10.1037/0022-3514.37.6.822
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
27. Lee, P. Ch., Chen, Ch. M., Liou, K. T. (2015). Using Citizens’ Leadership Behaviors to Enhance Worker Motivation: Reducing Perceived Social Loafing in a Coproductive Tax Service Program // Public Performance & Management Review. Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 172–197. doi: 10.1080/15309576.2016.1071172.10.1080/15309576.2016.1071172
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
28. Luo, Z., Qu, H., Marnburg, E. (2013). Justice Perceptions and Drives of Hotel Employee Social Loafing Behavior // International Journal of Hospitality Management. Vol. 33, pp. 456–464. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2012.11.005.10.1016/j.ijhm.2012.11.005
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
29. Meyer, B., Schermuly, C. C., Kauffeld, S. (2015). That’s Not My Place: The Interacting Effects of Faultlines, Subgroup Size, and Social Competence on Social Loafing Behaviour in Work Groups // European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 31–49. doi:10.1080/1359432X.2014.996554.10.1080/1359432X.2014.996554
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
30. Merkevičius, J., Uturytė-Vrubliauskienė, L. (2008). Virtual and Traditional Organizations - Singularity of Personnel Motivation // Socialiniai tyrimai-Social Research. Vol. 3, No. 13, pp. 119–126.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
31. Meslec, N., Curşeu, P. L. (2013). Too Close or Too Far Hurts: Cognitive Distance and Group Cognitive Synergy // Small Group Research. Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 471–497. doi: 10.1177/1046496413491988.10.1177/1046496413491988
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
32. Mikuličiūtė, V. (2012). The Interaction Between Cohesion, Team Trust, Perceived Self and Collective Efficacy, Stress and Performance Efficacy in Military Teams // Psichologija. Psychology. No. 46, pp. 105–122. [Komandos sutelktumo, pasitikėjimo ja, suvokto Aš ir kolektyvinio efektyvumo, patiriamo streso ir veiklos efektyvumo sąveika karinėse komandose, in Lithuanian].10.15388/Psichol.2012.46.814
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
33. Miura, A., Hida, M. (2004). Synergy Between Diversity and Similarity in Group-Idea Generation // Small Group Research. Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 540–564. doi: 10.1177/1046496404264942.10.1177/1046496404264942
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
34. Murphy, S. M., Wayne, S. J., Liden, R. C., Erdogan, B. (2003). Understanding Social Loafing: The Role of Justice Perceptions and Exchange Relationships // Human Relations, Vol. 56, No. 1, pp. 61–84. doi: 10.1177/0018726703056001450.10.1177/0018726703056001450
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
35. Omar, A. A., Lionel, P. R., Likoebe, M. M. (2010). Team Size, Dispersion, and Social Loafing in Technology-Supported Teams: A Perspective on the Theory of Moral Disengagement // Journal of Management Information Systems. Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 203–230. doi: 10.2753/MIS0742-1222270109.10.2753/MIS0742-1222270109
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
36. Perry, S. J., Lorinkova, N. M., Hunter, E. M., Hubbard, A., McMahon, J. T. (2016). When does Virtuality Really “Work”? Examining the Role of Work–Family and Virtuality in Social Loafing // Journal of Management. Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 449–479. doi: 10.1177/0149206313475814.10.1177/0149206313475814
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
37. Rubino, Ch., Avery, D. R., Volpone, S. D., Ford, L. (2014). Does Teaming Obscure Low Performance? Exploring the Temporal Effects of Team Performance Diversity // Human Performance. Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 416–434. doi: 10.1080/08959285.2014.956175.10.1080/08959285.2014.956175
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
38. Schnake, M. E. (1991). Equity in Effort: The Sucker Effect in Co-Acting Groups // Journal of Management. Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 41–55. doi: 10.1177/014920639101700104.10.1177/014920639101700104
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
39. Seitchik, A. E., Markins, S. G. (2014). The effects of nonconscious and conscious goals on performance // Basic and Applied Social Psychology. Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 90–110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01973533.2013.856785.10.1080/01973533.2013.856785
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
40. Seltzer, J. (2016). Teaching about social loafing: the accounting team exercise // Management Teaching Review. Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 34–42. doi: 10.1177/2379298115621889.10.1177/2379298115621889
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
41. Shih, C.-H., Shao, C.-C., Wang, Y.-H. (2017). Study of Social Loafing and Employee Creativity. In: Barolli L., Enokido T. (eds) Innovative Mobile and Internet Services in Ubiquitous Computing. IMIS 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Vol. 612. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61542-4_84.10.1007/978-3-319-61542-4_84
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
42. Stark, E. M., Shaw, J. D., Duffy, M. K. (2007). Preference for Group Work, Winning Orientation, and Social Loafing Behavior in Groups // Group & Organization Management. Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 699–723. doi: 10.1177/1059601106291130.10.1177/1059601106291130
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
43. Strohmeier, S. (2012). Assembling a Big Mosaic – A Review of Recent Books on Electronic Human Resource Management (e-HRM) // German Journal of Human Resource Management. Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 282–294. doi: 10.1177/239700221202600305.10.1177/239700221202600305
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
44. Suleiman, J., Watson, R. T. (2008). Social Loafing in Technology-Supported Teams // Computer Supported Cooperative Work. Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 291–309. doi: 10.1007/s10606-008-9075-6.10.1007/s10606-008-9075-6
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
45. Szymanski, K., Harkins, S. G. (1987). Social Loafing and Self-Evaluation with a Social Standard // Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol. 53, No. 5, pp. 891–897. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.53.5.891.10.1037/0022-3514.53.5.891
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
46. Tata, J. (2002). The Influence of Accounts on Perceived Social Loafing in Work Teams // International Journal of Conflict Management. Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 292–308. doi: 10.1108/eb022878.10.1108/eb022878
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
47. Van Dick, R., Tissington, T. A., Hertel, G. (2009). Do Many Hands Make Light Work? How to Overcome Social Loafing and Gain Motivation in Work Teams // European Business Review. Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 233–245. doi 10.1108/09555340910956621.10.1108/09555340910956621
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
48. Vveinhardt, J., Banikonytė, J. (2017a). Development Perspectives of the Social Group Cohesion in Reducing Social Loafing // Organizacijų vadyba: sisteminiai tyrimai. Management of Organizations: Systematic Research. Vol. 77, No. 1, pp. 185–202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/mosr-2017-0011 [Socialinės grupės darnos vystymo perspektyvos mažinant socialinį dykinėjimą, in Lithuanian].10.1515/mosr-2017-0011[Socialinėsgrupėsdarnosvystymoperspektyvosmažinantsocialinįdykinėjimą]
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
49. Vveinhardt, J., Banikonytė, J. (2017b). Managerial Solutions to Reduce Social Loafing in Group Activities of Companies // Professional Studies: Theory and Practice, Vol. 3, No. 18, pp. 77–85.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
50. Vveinhardt, J., Banikonytė, J., Ahmed, R. R. (2017). Social Loafing in Group Activities of Manufacturing Companies // 30th IBIMA Conference, 8-9 November 2017 (Madrid, Spain) (in Press).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
51. Woodman, T., Roberts, R., Hardy, L., Callow, N., Rogers, C. H. (2011). There is an “I” in Team: Narcissism and Social Loafing // Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 285–290. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2011.10599756.10.1080/02701367.2011.10599756
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
52. Zabielavičienė, I. (2009). Komandinio darbo specifika inovacijų sferoje // Current Issues of Business & Law. Vol. 3, pp. 87–103 [Specific Features of Teamwork in an Innovation Field, in Lithuanian].
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
53. Zhang, Y., Huai, M.-Y. (2015). Diverse Work Groups and Employee Performance: The Role of Communication Ties // Small Group Research. Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 28–57. doi: 10.1177/1046496415604742.10.1177/1046496415604742
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
54. Zoghbi-Manrique-de-Lara, P., Olivares-Mesa, A., (2010). Bringing Cyber Loafers Back on the Right Track // Industrial Management & Data Systems. Vol. 110, No. 7, pp. 1038–1053. doi: 10.1108/02635571011069095.10.1108/02635571011069095
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Managerial Solutions that Increase the Effect of Group Synergy and Reduce Social Loafing

Abstract

Paradigm

My account