What is a Team?
This Page: Definition | References
Definition
Teams differ from other type of groups in that members are focused on a joint goal or product, such as a presentation, completing in-class exercises, taking notes, discussing a topic, writing a report, or creating a new design or prototype.
Here is one of the most commonly cited definitions:
"A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they are mutually accountable." (Katzenbach and Smith, 1993)
Similar definitions of a team include:
"People working together in a committed way to achieve a common goal or mission. The work is interdependent and team members share responsibility and hold themselves accountable for attaining the results." (MIT Information Services and Technology)
"A team is a group of people working together towards a common goal." (Team Technology, 1995-2006)
"A group in which members work together intensively to achieve a common group goal." (Lewis-McClear & Taylor 1998)
References
Katzenbach, J.R. & Smith, D.K. (1993). The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-performance Organization. Boston: Harvard Business School.
Lewis-McClear, Kyle and Taylor, M.S. (1998) "Psychological contract breach and the employment exchange: perceptions from employees and employers" Paper Presented to the Academy of Management, San Diego, August 1998.
MIT Information Services and Technology (no date) "Guide for Creating Teams: Definition of Teams"
http://web.mit.edu/is/competency/guide/definitions.html
Accessed May 1, 2007
Team Technology (1995-2006) "The Basics of Team Building"
http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/tt/t-articl/tb-basic.htm
Accessed May 1, 2007
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