Reasons for and against the use of the team concept in joint settings

The use of teams has become common in organizational settings throughout the world today, even though what constitutes a “team approach” varies widely. The team concept has been touted as a cure to many problems. This article attempts to summarize the many reasons managers and union officials have given to support a team approach. Most of these reasons are logically tied to desires for improved performance and increased satisfaction with work. Interviews conducted by the authors in various settings also revealed some manipulative reasons why the team concept is utilized in some joint settings. The article also points out the reasons why some union officials may actively resist efforts to implement the team approach and why some managers may covertly sabotage efforts. The reader will have a better understanding of the forms of team concept being utilized and the forces for and against these efforts in joint settings.