title: A Cusp Catastrophe Model for Team Learning, Team Potency and Team Culture.
abstract: This paper examines team learning behaviors within a nonlinear dynamical system (NDS) perspective. The present research is based on a sample of 36 project workgroups, where data were collected at two moments of their life cycle, with visual analogue scales. Using both the least squares method and maximum likelihood, it proposes a cusp catastrophe model for explaining team learning. The cusp model is superior to its linear alternatives and implements team culture as the asymmetry variable and team potency as bifurcation. The findings of cusp structure in the data support the existence of discontinuous shifts in learning behavior and furthermore a proposition that the punctuated equilibrium model (PEM) might be a reasonable model for describing group functioning, since it encompasses such sudden changes between distinct stages (attractors). A discussion on small group research is also provided by highlighting the nonlinear dynamics of team processes, along with further implications for research and practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rebelo
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stamovlasis
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo Renato
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lourenco
authors.affiliation: GOVCOPP, ESTGA, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dimas
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008960:Models, Psychological; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics