STUDY: WOMEN NOT HAPPY WITH TEAM ASSIGNMENTS
MUNCIE, Ind. -- When it comes to working in teams, college-age males and females have different perspectives on their roles, says a Ball State University study.
A survey of 306 business students also found that while male students believe they are more likely to take on the traditional role as group leaders, women believe they assume a stereotypical role of typist, said Melody Alexander, a business education and office administration professor.
"The analysis shows that when compared to women, men are most likely to take the leadership role," she said. "When compared to males, the majority of females felt they were more likely to do keyboarding and pay attention to detail."
Grouping students together in teams has long been a classroom approach to handling group projects. Teamwork enhances academic success by strengthening social interaction, Alexander said.
Teamwork requires positive interdependence, interpersonal and small-group skills, individual accountability, and group accountability, she said.
"More and more companies are going to the team concept," Alexander said. "People must get along, share the work load and work together. There will be slackers just as there will be people who want to do everything. College is a time for students to gain experience working in teams before they enter the business world."
Student perceptions of teamwork were positive in the survey. Both genders hold the belief that teamwork in the classroom is an important part of their education and holds value in the working world, she said.
The survey also found:
*More males than females perceive that when they work in teams, the work is equally shared and that it is fair that everyone receives the same grade.
*Both men and women perceive men as sometimes being slackers.
*While men think either males or females could be detail oriented, they believe it is more likely to be females than males.
*Females overwhelmingly see themselves as more likely to pay attention to detail.
*Significantly more females than males report that students should select their own team members.
*While females continue to perform in traditional roles, both females and males are fulfilling all roles within the team.
Alexander said faculty and business people should review the concept of teamworking with members before a project is assigned, alerting them to avoid stereotypical job assignments.
"Try to enure that each team members plays a significant role," she said. "
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(NOTE TO EDITORS: Contact Alexander by E-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (765) 285-5239.)
M. Ransford
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