Do they do what they Believe they can? Group Efficacy and Group Effectiveness Across Tasks and Cultures

Abstract

It is argued that the effects of group efficacy (a group's belief regarding its ability to perform effectively) are complex and moderated by several contingency factors. Findings from two intercultural studies support the contingency approach. When task uncertainty was high, team members worked independently, and collectivism was low, group efficacy was not related to group effectiveness. In contrast, when task uncertainty was low, team members worked interdependently, and collectivism was high, the relationship between group efficacy and group effectiveness was positive. Implications for group-level social cognitive theory are discussed.