Final answer:
The diversity problem-solving approach in teams suggests that while homophily can limit diversity, various studies have shown that diverse teams bring about improved performance through increased skill sets and unique points of view.
Step-by-step explanation:
The value in diversity problem-solving approach suggests that people are attracted to those who they perceive to be similar, and they avoid interacting with those who are dissimilar. This concept, known as homophily, can limit our exposure to diversity and different points of view. However, research has indicated that diverse teams can bring a range of benefits to problem solving within organizations. For instance, Hoogendoorn, Oosterbeek, & van Praag (2013) found that gender-balanced teams in a university business school performed better than those not gender-balanced. This highlights that while diversity can introduce communication challenges, it can also increase the team's skill set and potentially improve team member interactions. Additionally, diverse teams can provide larger sets of information and viewpoints, which can lead to better decision-making and innovative solutions. However, it's important for teams to avoid pitfalls like groupthink and group polarization that can negatively impact decision-making and performance.