A meta-analysis of the dynamism of emergent states and team processes

Prevailing theories of teamwork propose that a team's cognitive, affective, and motivational states (i.e., emergent states) and its members' interdependent actions (i.e., team processes) are inherently dynamic. Nevertheless, much of the existing literature overlooks critical components of theories on system dynamics (e.g., inertia, coevolution, feedback) and has largely failed to consider how time operates, ultimately leading to a predominantly static view of teams. To extend our understanding of team dynamism, we synthesized over 3,000 correlation coefficients from longitudinal studies, representing more than 11,000 teams on average. Using cross-lagged, meta-analytic structural equation models, we found that (a) emergent states and team processes exhibit inertia over time, although this varies by construct (affect exhibits the least inertia, while conflict exhibits the most); (b) some constructs (team affect and team cognition) tend to coevolve with team processes over time, whereas others (team motivation and team conflict) are consistently predicted by earlier team processes; (c) team performance exhibits consistent feedback loops, predicting subsequent emergent states and processes, which, in turn, predict later performance; and (d) the length of time between observations moderates these dynamics. Drawing on these results, we outline several key theoretical considerations for understanding team dynamics, highlight important methodological considerations for conducting longitudinal causally identified teams research, and offer recommendations for advancing beyond the current static perspective to a more dynamic understanding of teams. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).