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Unlocking team performance: How shared mental models drive proactive problem-solving.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Unlocking team performance: How shared mental models drive proactive problem-solving.
Authors: Carraro, Michela, Furlan, Andrea, Netland, Torbjørn
Source: Human Relations; Apr2025, Vol. 78 Issue 4, p407-437, 31p
Subject Terms: TEAMS in the workplace, CONCEPTUAL models, LABOR productivity, RESEARCH funding, DATA analysis, TASK performance, INTERVIEWING, QUESTIONNAIRES, MULTIPLE regression analysis, PROBLEM solving, DECISION making, GROUP dynamics, DESCRIPTIVE statistics, PATH analysis (Statistics), CHI-squared test, PSYCHOLOGY, STATISTICS, DATA analysis software
Geographic Terms: ITALY
Abstract: Do shared mental models support proactive problem-solving? Research on shared cognition suggests that shared mental models aid team performance by improving coordination between team members' actions. However, these models can also lead to groupthink, potentially diminishing team members' proactive problem-solving behaviors. Based on social identity theory, this study examines how shared mental models influence proactive problem-solving at the individual and team levels. We propose that shared mental models about work tasks and team dynamics are crucial for promoting proactive problem-solving behaviors and coordinating team efforts. To test our theory, we conducted multilevel path analyses with survey data from 266 individuals across 48 teams in 13 Italian manufacturing companies. Our results indicate that the degree to which individuals align their task- and team-related mental models impacts both their tendency to proactively solve problems and their ability to coordinate team problem-solving. We also find that the adoption of proactive problem-solving behaviors and team effort coordination are linked to enhanced team performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Complementary Index
Description
Abstract:Do shared mental models support proactive problem-solving? Research on shared cognition suggests that shared mental models aid team performance by improving coordination between team members' actions. However, these models can also lead to groupthink, potentially diminishing team members' proactive problem-solving behaviors. Based on social identity theory, this study examines how shared mental models influence proactive problem-solving at the individual and team levels. We propose that shared mental models about work tasks and team dynamics are crucial for promoting proactive problem-solving behaviors and coordinating team efforts. To test our theory, we conducted multilevel path analyses with survey data from 266 individuals across 48 teams in 13 Italian manufacturing companies. Our results indicate that the degree to which individuals align their task- and team-related mental models impacts both their tendency to proactively solve problems and their ability to coordinate team problem-solving. We also find that the adoption of proactive problem-solving behaviors and team effort coordination are linked to enhanced team performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00187267
DOI:10.1177/00187267241247962