Team Structure and Success as Related to Cohesiveness and Leadership

Abstract

Summary Based upon the structural characteristics associated with interacting teams, two hypotheses were tested. Hypothesis I predicted that both players and coaches of successful volleyball teams would perceive greater team cohesion. Hypothesis II, which was derived from Fiedler's (2) contingency model for leadership effectiveness, proposed that successful teams would be coached by leaders perceived to be task-oriented in style. Data analysis consisted of a 2 × 2 × 2 (respondents × team success × level of skill) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for the dependent variables of cohesion and leadership. Final sample was comprised of winning and losing players (n = 71) and head coaches (n = 8) within the two most highly competitive divisions of the Southern California Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball league. Both players and coaches responded to the same assessment instruments, Fiedler's (2) Group Atmosphere Scale and Least Preferred Co-worker Scale. Hypothesis I was confirmed. Hypothesis II received partial support. Perception of coaches' leadership style within successful teams varied according to the skill level of the teams. Results were discussed in terms of variations in player motivation and structural changes which may occur within teams as a consequence of player skill level.

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