Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
Published on: January 19, 2019
Cooperation, competition and goal interdependence in work teams: a multilevel approach
Aitor Aritzeta1, Nekane Balluerka
1Faculty of Psychology, Universidad del País Vasco, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain. aitor.aritzeta@ehu.es
Abstract:
The aim of this research was to predict cooperative and competitive conflict management styles in 26 new start-up work teams (time 1), and after one year of functioning (time 2) in an automotive company. Vertical-horizontal, individualism-collectivism cultural patterns were used as predictive variables. It was predicted that goal interdependence would moderate the relationship between cultural patterns and conflict management styles. Because of the hierarchically nested data structure, a Multilevel Analysis approach was used. Horizontal and vertical collectivism increased cooperation, and horizontal and vertical individualism increased competition. Only when work teams had been functioning for a year, goal interdependence increased cooperation and interaction effects between goal interdependence and vertical types of individualism and collectivism were observed. Implications for team-building as organizational transformational strategies are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Social Loafing
Robbers Cave
Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Impact of Groups on Groups
Microbial Interactions: Cooperation
Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation