The effect of formal time allocations on learning trajectories and performance

• Main Authors: GOH, Kenneth T., FISHER, Colin M., SOMMER, S. Amy
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2022
• Subjects: time; learning trajectories; group process; performance; latent growth modeling; Organizational Behavior and Theory; Strategic Management Policy
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/7004; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/8003/viewcontent/Goh_trajectories_manuscript_Feb_15_2022.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

How do formal time allocations in teams affect team learning trajectories and performance? We argue that allocating more time for transition phases induces steeper learning trajectories that engender a positive group atmosphere, which in turn improves team performance by improving coordination quality. We tested our hypotheses in a laboratory experiment in which teams worked on a creative design task over multiple iterations. Using a latent growth modeling approach, we found that teams with shorter action and longer transition phases during prototyping had lower initial performance but steeper learning trajectories, which indirectly led to better final team performance.