"Good News"/"Bad News": The Consequences of Repeated Team Performance Feedback on Team Processes and Performance

• In Event: 53.042 - Issues in Interprofessional Teamwork and Practice

Abstract

We collected data from 28 multidisciplinary teams that worked together on physics problems over four weeks. We investigated the effect of repeated double positive feedback (overperformance relative to the median for two problems) and mixed feedback (one positive and one negative feedback), compared to repeated negative feedback (underperformance relative to the median on two problems), on subsequent affective, cognitive, and behavioural processes and team performance. Results indicate that teams who received repetitive positive feedback felt more cohesive and confident in their team expertise, while also experiencing less conflict, compared to underperforming teams. Teams that received mixed feedback engaged in more reflection and knowledge building behaviours. By contrast, repeated negative feedback was a driver of subsequent improved performance.

Authors

• Catherine Gabelica, IÉSEG School of Management

• Sven De Maeyer, University of Antwerp