Project Details
Description
Overview. Embracing diversity can show measurable benefits for teams and organizations. Prior research shows that functional diversity––the degree to which team members differ in terms of their experience or background––can positively influence team functioning through the increase of information, skills, ability, and knowledge that diversity may bring (Bunderson et al., 2002; Cummings, 2004; Hargadon, 1996). Though societal norms advocate diversity and inclusion, hardwired tendencies create an attraction to people who are similar and familiar (Aiello et al., 2012; McPherson et al., 2001; Mollica et al., 2003). This poses a challenge to organizations seeking to leverage the benefits of diversity in teams (Hackett & Hogg, 2014). Can information systems help organizations and their co-workers to assemble more diverse teams? This dissertation seeks to understand how augmented intelligence technologies can facilitate people to assemble functional diverse teams. We propose two main dimensions to explain the synergistic collaboration between humans and systems: the presence of (a) human agency, and (b) augmented intelligence in team formation processes. We expect that teams self-assembled by their members and assisted by augmented intelligence will be more likely to achieve higher levels of functional diversity and team performance than teams in the other conditions.(Balkundi & Harrison, 2006; Bayazit & Mannix, 2003; Jackson, 1996). We propose to conduct a laboratory experiment––using a team formation platform called MyDreamTeam––controlling the presence and absence of human agency and augmented intelligence. We will assess team formation processes of teams assembled (a) randomly, (b) by participants, (c) by participants using augmented intelligence. We will examine these three team formation conditions using a sample of 240 participants who will assemble teams of size 4, and analyze participants’ searches, teammate choices, their resulting teams’ composition, and performance.
Intellectual merit. First, this project theoretically advances our understanding of teams and diversity, answering calls to better understand the multilevel determinants of teams. How are they forming? and which ones are performing? How are technologies affecting team assembly? Can technologies help to assemble more diverse groups? Following teams from formation to maturity will provide a holistic understanding of the factors driving team formation and performance. Knowing how to assemble more diverse teams has the potential to improve the career productivity of a major source of human capital, and to hasten breakthroughs in teams. Second, this project scientifically advances our understanding of assembling more diverse teams chosen by team members and enabled by the use of technologies. Third, this dissertation has the potential to set important precedents on how information systems and augmented intelligence are leveraged for assembling functional teams in future applications.
Broader impacts. The first source of broader impact stems from the research itself. The findings and applications of this research contribute to stakeholder communities that are invested in increasing diversity in teams. Software developers and designers can use the theoretical and practical implications of this research for new procedures and guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence on organizing workers. We will plan to de-identify the collected data and make it available for future research. This research also advances in discovery and understanding team assembly while promotin
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 9/1/20 → 5/31/22 |
Funding
- National Science Foundation (SES-2021117)
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