What is the impact of high group cohesiveness and well-defined performance norms on the productivity of a team?

The relationship between group cohesiveness and productivity is moderated by the group’s performance norms. When both cohesiveness and performance norms are high, the group is highly motivated and aligned toward achieving its goals. The social bonds encourage members to support each other in pursuit of high standards, leading to a synergistic effect that significantly improves productivity. This combination represents the most favorable condition for group performance.

B. The productivity of the team will improve slightly: The combined effect of high cohesion and high performance norms is a powerful driver, leading to significant, not slight, improvement.

C. The productivity of the team will remain low: Low productivity occurs when cohesiveness is high but performance norms are low, as the group unites against organizational goals.

D. The productivity of the team will remain as is: This combination is a strong catalyst for performance change and does not result in the status quo.

1. Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2018). Organizational Behavior (18th ed.). Pearson. The model illustrating the relationship between cohesiveness, performance norms, and productivity is presented in Chapter 9, p. 296, showing "High productivity" as the outcome for high cohesiveness and high norms.

2. Langfred, C. W. (1998). Is group cohesiveness a double-edged sword? An investigation of the effects of cohesiveness on performance. Small Group Research, 29(1), 124-143. This article discusses how high cohesiveness amplifies the effect of performance norms, leading to very high or very low performance.

3. Stanford University. (n.d.). Primer on Groups and Teams. Course materials for MS&E 180/280, Organizations. Discusses how the alignment of group norms with organizational goals determines whether cohesion enhances or hinders productivity.