Cooperation and Productivity in a Simulated Small Group Work Task

Abstract

In the present experiments, I evaluated effects of antecedent- and consequent-based manipulations on cooperation and productivity in a novel group work task. Participants worked in three-person teams on a computer-based task where they could allocate time toward scoring points or assisting teammates. In both experiments, teams were assigned to a restricted (no communication allowed during trials) or unrestricted (communication allowed throughout the experiment) communication condition. In Experiment 1, two teams participated and completed the task in 180-s trials for one of three incentive types: (a) fixed incentive, delivered independent of performance; (b) individual incentive, delivered based on individual score; and (c) collective incentive, based on team total score and divided equally amongst teammates. Probability of incentive delivery also varied and was set to 10% or 100%. I conducted Experiment 2 in a similar manner with eight teams, the fixed and individual incentive types only, and incentive probability was always 100%. Cooperative response requirement also increased across six levels within each trial for both experiments. In Experiment 1, the team in the unrestricted condition engaged in more cooperative responses and was more productive than the team in the restricted condition. No main effects of incentive type manipulations were observed, potentially due to the multiple condition types. Results of Experiment 2 did not replicate the effect of the communication manipulation. However, participants engaged in fewer cooperative responses and were more productive in the individual incentive condition than in the fixed condition. Finally, demand curve analyses were used to evaluate responding across response requirements. Findings demonstrate the utility of the current methodology for examining variables that commonly affect workplace performance.