Supervisory procedures and work-team productivity

Abstract

"A complex task setting provided by the simulation of a radar air traffic control system was the context employed to evaluate the extent to which work-team productivity is modifiable as a consequence of different supervisors and supervisory procedures under different task loads. Six two-man teams were observed. Each team worked under each of three supervisors. The supervisors shifted from team to team. Three techniques were adopted alternately: laissez-faire, active monitoring, and direct participation. It was observed that the individual supervisor was a more consistent influence on performance than the particular role he employed. The effect of role per se was significant but interpretable only in light of the particular performance criterion used. For example, processing speed was greatest under laissezfaire conditions, while error avoidance was superior under the conditions which required more overt supervisory activity. Task load was not found to be an interactive factor." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)