Document Type

Closed Project

Publication Date

Summer 2002

Instructor

Dragan Milosevic

Course Title

Capstone Project

Course Number

EMGT 589/689

Subjects

Group decision-making, Organizational behavior, Creative ability in business, Engineering management, Technology -- Management, Grounded theory

Abstract

In the thirtieth year anniversary of the publishing of Dr. Irving Janis on the concept of groupthink, this author found this social science concept to be alive and well both in research and practice. Fortunately it is still a focus of research; however, unfortunately it still manifests itself in fiascoes both in government and private business. Without providing an immediate definition of groupthink for the reader, the author asks that the reader consider what this phrase means to him or her. Can you recognize its symptoms? Can you list its effects, or identify a fiasco attributed to these effects?

This research paper was built around a Grounded Theory approach, which essentially is a process of discovery from which a hypothesis may be constructed and validated from case study information sources. This paper is built on interviews, literature research, seminar attendance, various discussions and self-consideration and the cross-comparison between these items to generate a hopefully useful perspective to the reader. I found that the basic keys to combating groupthinks effects through an “open-leadership” style still manifests itself as true, although with more sophistication and detail, and is increasingly being combined with the development of ties to teamwork concepts and creativity research.

The author completed the research to conclude with the following hypothesis: “Leadership methods and team effectiveness may be better linked, through more efforts focused by training leaders on managing the creativity of teams and team participants which will result in better alternatives development and selection, leading to less likelihood of negative impacts resulting from groupthink conditions.”

Thus, proper leadership and creativity linkages and solutions are mandatory, and still under development. It is a continuing improvement process that is necessary for New Product Development, Public Works administration, and a slough of other engineering management applications. It is important, and attention must continue to be paid to it.

Rights

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Comments

This project is only available to students, staff, and faculty of Portland State University

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/23920

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