THE EFFECT OF PROFILING ON TEAM DYNAMICS AND CREATIVITY

DS 82: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE15), Great Expectations: Design Teaching, Research & Enterprise, Loughborough, UK, 03-04.09.2015

Year: 2015
Editor: Guy Bingham, Darren Southee, John McCardle, Ahmed Kovacevic, Erik Bohemia, Brian Parkinson
Author: Cayzer, Steve
Series: E&PDE
Institution: University of Bath, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UK
Section: Creativity
Page(s): 632-636
ISBN: 978-1-904670-62-9

Abstract

How do we, as educators, create and support effective teamwork with our students? This study focuses
on the role of profiling tools. In particular we look at the use of such tools to create diverse, or
heterogeneous, teams. We find that although there is a general preference for heterogeneous teams,
there are other more powerful factors at play, including the nature of the task, familiarity of the
participants, and cultural background. It is possible to have highly effective homogeneous teams given
the right circumstances. Exploring further, we find that individuals in such teams consciously adapt
their style to fit with the environment. Thus, equipping students with knowledge of their own (and
others’) profiles can be a valuable enabling factor in effective teamwork. We therefore suggest that
profiling tools are useful as: a tool for self development; and a way of developing team work within a
high trust culture.

Keywords: Group working, profiling, VIEW, Belbin, Hofstede, Profiling

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