Final answer:
Optimal team effectiveness is achieved with a relatively small number of members, balanced gender mix for diverse skill sets, and strong communication. Challenges such as social loafing and conflict can hinder performance, and there's a risk of overestimating effectiveness due to the 'team halo effect'. Types of teams include problem resolution, creative, tactical, and virtual teams, each with unique operational conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Team Effectiveness and Optimal Team Size
Research has shown that teams achieve their best results with a relatively small number of members. Effective teams are those that are cohesive and have a strong sense of connection, good communication, and a balanced gender mix. A study by Hoogendoorn, Oosterbeek, and van Praag found that gender-balanced teams were more effective, particularly in terms of sales and profits, because a diverse team skill set can improve team member interactions and decision-making. Yet, the challenges that can affect team performance include social loafing, conformity effects resulting in poor decision-making, conflict, and communication issues, indicating that simply having a diverse team is not a panacea for team effectiveness.
Furthermore, the concept of the 'team halo effect' suggests that teams may be perceived as performing better than they actually are. In practice, to prevent and manage disputes and conflicts, it is crucial for team members to utilize effective negotiation skills and interpersonal abilities. Clear tasks and conflict resolution processes are also necessary to be further developed and implemented in team settings.
Lastly, it's important to consider different types of teams, such as problem resolution teams, creative teams, tactical teams, and virtual teams, and how they operate within an organizational culture. For instance, virtual teams have become increasingly common and present unique challenges in terms of how they communicate and function, especially when members are geographically dispersed.