WMU Radio News Service | University Relations

WMU Home > WMU News > Radio News Service

Overemphasis on working in groups

Feb. 9, 2012

Wrap, suggested lead: Collaboration is in at America's businesses, organizations and institutions. But as Mark Schwerin reports, there's growing evidence that we are overdoing it when it comes to working in groups.

(1:03/Schwerin/STD)

It's been widely accepted that working collectively produces better results. But working in teams isn't always best, says Dr. Kathleen Propp, a WMU professor of communication who specializes in groups.

(:38/Propp............................................................or not.)

Propp says the emphasis on teams grew out of the human resources movement after World War II. From Western Michigan University, I'm Mark Schwerin.

Actualities:

CUT ONE: Propp says working in groups can be a drawback from both a managerial and productivity standpoint.

(:42/Propp...................................................is the question.)

CUT TWO: Propp says businesses and organizations should ask several key questions before assigning a given problem or task to a team.

(:43/Propp.............................................versus individually.)

CUT THREE: Propp says group decisions do foster social identification and commitment.

(:43/Propp...................................................supported more.)

For additional comments or an interview with Propp, call (269) 387-3138.

The Western Michigan University radio news service is produced by the Office of University Relations. If you have questions or comments about the service, call Mark Schwerin at (269) 387-8413.

WMU Radio News Service
University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
269 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/radio

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu