Data were collected from the managers of 77 groups in a large service organization and a large manufacturing organization. The results revealed that the relation between group control over decision making and group performance became more positive with increased levels of task interdependence. The main implication of the findings is that increasing group control over decisions may result in high performance only for groups that are highly task interdependent. The performance of groups that are low in task interdependence may suffer when provided with group-level control of decisions.
BEEKUN, R. L.Assessing the effectiveness of sociotechnical interventions: Antidote or fad?Human Relations, 1989, 42, 877-897 .
2.
COHEN, J. , & COHEN, P.Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum , 1983.
3.
COHEN, S. G. , & LEDFORD, G. E.The effectiveness of self-managing teams: A quasi-experiment . Human Relations, 1994, 47, 13-43 .
4.
CORDERY, J. L. , MUELLER, W. S. , & SMITH, L. M.Attitudinal and behavioral effects of autonomous group working: A longitudinal field study . Academy of Management Journal, 1991, 34, 464-476 .
5.
CUMMINGS, T. G.Self regulating work groups: A sociotechnical synthesis . Academy of Management Review, 1978, 3, 625-634 .
6.
FANDT, P. M.The relationship of accountability and interdependent behavior to enhancing team consequences . Group & Organization Studies, 1991, 16, 300-312 .
7.
GOODMAN, P. S. , RAVLIN, E. , & SCHMINKE, M.Understanding groups in organizations . Research in Organizational Behavior, 1987, 9, 121-173 .
8.
GREENBERGER, D. B. , & STRASSER, S.Development and application of a model of personal control in organizations . Academy of Management Review, 1986, 11, 164-177 .
9.
GREENBERGER, D. B. , STRASSER, S. , CUMMINGS, L. L. , & DUNHAM, R. B.The impact of personal control on performance and satisfaction . Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 1989, 43, 29-51 .
10.
HACKMAN, J. R.Work design. In J. R. Hackman and J. L. Suttle (Eds.), Improving life at work. Santa Monica, CA: Goodyear (now Scott Foresman) , 1977, pp. 96-162.
11.
HACKMAN, J. R. , & OLDHAM, G. R.Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory . Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 1976, 16, 250-279 .
12.
HARMON, H. H.Modem factor analysis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press , 1967.
13.
HIRST, M. K.Intrinsic motivation as influenced by task interdependence and goal setting . Journal of Applied Psychology, 1988, 73, 96-101 .
14.
JEHN, K. A.A multimethod examination of the benefits and detriments of intragroup conflict . Administrative Science Quarterly, 1995, 40, 256-282 .
15.
KETCHLJM, L. D. , & TRIST, E.Al teams are not created equal: How employee empowerment really works. Newbury Park: Sage , 1992.
16.
KIDWEIL, R. E. , & BENNElT, N.Employee propensity to withhold effort A conceptual model to intersect three avenues of research . Academy of Management Review, 1993, 18, 429-456 .
17.
KIGGUNDU, M. N.Task interdependence and job design: test of a theory . Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 1983, 31, 145-172 .
18.
KLEIN, J. A.A reexamination of autonomy in light of new manufacturing practices . Human Relations, 1991, 44, 21-38 .
19.
LARSON, C. , & FASTO, F.Teamwork: What must go right/what can go wrong. Newbury Park, CA.Sage , 1989.
20.
LEWIN, K. , & LIPPITT, R.An experimental approach to the study of autocracy and democracy: A preliminary note . Sociometry, 1938, 1, 292-300 .
21.
LIDEN, R. C. , & ARAD, S.A power perspective of empowerment and work groups: Implications for human resources management research . Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, 14, in press.
22.
LIDEN, R. C. , & MITCHELL, T. R.The effects of group interdependence on supervisor performance evaluations . Personnel Psychology, 1983, 36, 289-299 .
23.
LIKERT, R.The human organization. New York: McGraw-Hill , 1967.
24.
MANZ, C. C.Self-leading work teams: Moving beyond self-management myths . Human Relations, 1992, 45, 1119-1140 .
25.
MANZ, C. C. , & ANGLE, H.Can group self-management mean a loss of personal control: Triangulating a paradox . Group & Organization Studies, 1986, 11, 309-334 .
26.
MANZ, C. C. , & NEWSTROM, J.Self-managing teams in a paper mill: Success factors, problems, and lessons learned . International Human Resource Management Review, 1990, 1, 43-60 .
27.
MANZ, C. C. , & SIMS, H. P., Jr.Leading self managed groups: A conceptual analysis of a paradox ; Economic & Industrial Democracy, 1986, 7, 141-165 .
28.
MANZ, C. C. , & SIMS, H. P., Jr.Leading workers to lead themselves: The external leadership of self managed work teams . Administrative Sciences Quarterly, 1987, 32, 106-128 .
29.
McWHIRTER, E. H.Empowerment in counseling . Journal of Counseling and Development, 1991, 69, 222-227 .
30.
MILLT, D.Rebirth of the corporation. New York: Wiley , 1991.
31.
MORSE, N. , & REIMER, E.The experimental change of a major organizational variable . Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1956, 52, 120-129 .
32.
PASMORE, W. A. , & KHALSA, G.The contributions of Eric Trist to the social engagement of social science . Academy of Management Review, 1993, 18, 546-569 .
33.
PEARCE, J. A. , & RAVLIN, E. C.The design and activation of self-regulating work groups . Human Relations, 1987, 40, 751-782 .
34.
PEARCE, J. L. , & GREGERSEN, H. B.Task interdependence and extrarole behavior: A test of the mediating effects of felt responsibility . Journal of Applied Psychology, 1991, 76, 838-844 .
35.
PODSAKOFF, P. M. , & ORGAN, D. W.Self-reports in organizational research: Problems and prospects . Journal of Management, 1986, 12, 531-544 .
36.
SAAVEDRA, R. , EARLEY, P. C. , & VAN DYNE, L.Complex interdependence in task performing groups . Journal of Applied Psychology, 1993, 78, 61-72 .
37.
SCHMITT, N. W. , & KLIMOSKI, R. J.Research methods in human resources management. Cincinnati: South-Western Publishing , 1991.
38.
SCHRIESHEIM, C. A. , & DENISI, A. S.Task dimensions as moderators of the effects of instrumental leadership: A two-sample replicated test of path-goal leadership theory . Journal of Applied Psychology, 1981, 66, 589-597 .
39.
SEASHORE, S. E. , & BOWERS, D. G.The durability of organizational change . American Psychologist, 1970, 25, 227-233 .
40.
SHEA, G. P. , & GUZZO, R. A.Groups as human resources . Research in Personnel and Human Resource Management, 1987, 5, 323-356 .
41.
SHIPPER, F. , & MANZ, C. C.Employee self-management without formally designated teams: An alternative road to empowerment . Organizational Dynamics, 1992, 20, 48-61 .
42.
TRIST, E. L. , & BAMFORTH, K. W.Some social and psychological consequences of the long-wall method of coal getting . Human Relations, 1951, 4, 3-38 .
43.
TRIST, E. L. , HIGGIN, G. W. , MURRAY, H. , & POLLOCK, S. B.Organizational choice. London: Tavistock Publications , 1963.
44.
WAGEMAN, R.Interdependence and group effectiveness . Administrative Science Quarterly, 1995, 40, 145-180 .
45.
WALL, T. D. , KEMP, N. J. , JACKSON, P. R. , & CLEGG, C. W.Outcomes of autonomous workgroups: A long-term field experimentAcademy of Management Journal, 1986, 29, 280-304 .
46.
WONG, C. S. , & CAMPION, M. A.Development and test of a task level model of motivational job design . Journal of Applied Psychology, 1991, 76, 825-844 .
