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When, and how, do team members’ minds align? A dynamic perspective on shared mental models in teams with different levels of task and outcome interdependence

Project description

What makes teams successful

To compete in markets worldwide, Europeans need a common vision and efficient teamwork. Shared mental models help members of teams to understand each other’s roles, enabling aligned team vision and smooth performance. But is the same level of shared mental model convergence beneficial for all team members? The EU-funded ALIGNING MINDS investigates this question. Through two longitudinal studies, it will study a variety of possible shared mental model trajectories based on various theoretical frameworks. The studies will target about 400 individuals and 80 teams. Respondents are from different industries and sectors. The project aims to contribute to the European market by building expertise in the dynamics of shared mental models in teams with (dis)similar task and team characteristics.

Objective

Successful teamwork is crucial to solve many of today’s key problems, but to effectively perform the tasks, team members have to build a shared mental model (i.e. a shared understanding about who does what, when, and with whom) successfully and in a timely manner. I aim to tackle the (implicit) view in the literature that one level of convergence is appropriate for all teams, by analysing the shared mental model changing patterns (i.e. trajectories) of different teams via interdependence theory. This project aims to uncover the range of possible shared mental model trajectories, and understand whether and why different trajectories occur in different types of teams and what the implications for team performance are. I will conduct two longitudinal empirical studies. Study A will analyse the individual team members’ perception of shared mental models. I will use Academic Prolific to target 400 respondents. This study allows me to determine the best timing and interval length to capture shared mental models. Study B will build upon the insights I will gain from Study A to understand which trajectories fit with each type of team and what the implications for performance are. For Study B, I will collect data in 80 teams (team members and leaders) from different industries and sectors. As teamwork is essential to create a competitive European Union, my project will contribute to the development of the European Union labour market for the 21st century. I will accomplish this project by combining my expertise with the expertise in time research and interdependence theory at Maastricht University. Overall, this project and the foreseen two top publications will increase my research-related (e.g. methodological) and transferable (e.g. valorisation of knowledge) skills, which will bring me a significant leap in my career and increase my employability and career prospects in academia.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 187 572,48
Address
MINDERBROEDERSBERG 4
6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands

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Region
Zuid-Nederland Limburg (NL) Zuid-Limburg
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 187 572,48
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