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The effect of goal setting on group performance: a meta-analysis
Ad Kleingeld1, Heleen van Mierlo, Lidia Arends
1Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. p.a.m.kleingeld@tue.nl
The Journal of Applied Psychology
|July 13, 2011
Summary
Specific, difficult group goals significantly boost team performance more than vague goals. Individual goals can help but require careful use in interdependent teams to avoid negative outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Management Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Goal-setting theory is a cornerstone of work motivation.
- Previous research indicates specific, difficult goals enhance individual performance.
- The impact of goal setting on group performance requires further meta-analytic investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analytically examine the effects of group goals on group performance.
- To investigate moderators of the group goal-performance relationship.
- To explore the differential effects of individual goal types within groups.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of existing studies on goal setting and group performance.
- Inclusion of 49 effect sizes for overall group goals.
- Analysis of multilevel goals, distinguishing between 'egocentric' and 'groupcentric' individual goals.
Main Results:
- Specific, difficult group goals significantly outperform nonspecific goals (d = 0.80).
- Overall group goals show a robust positive effect on performance (d = 0.56).
- 'Groupcentric' individual goals enhance performance (d = 1.20), while 'egocentric' goals harm it (d = -1.75).
Conclusions:
- Group goals are a powerful driver of enhanced group performance.
- The effectiveness of individual goals in groups depends on their focus.
- Future research should explore multilevel goal strategies in organizational settings.
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