| This study examined the individual team experience in cross-functional teams in terms of member satisfaction, attitude toward future teamwork, and performance. It explored the feelings, perceptions, and actual realities of the team experience as expressed by 20 study participants. This exploratory study used grounded theory to provide an ordered venue for examining the team experience in three small nonprofit organizations that primarily used cross-functional teams as the structural design choice for accomplishing work. For the most part, results confirmed past team and group research and added to the limited research about members' satisfaction and attitudes about future teamwork. Specifically, the study identified and explained 12 elements that have bearing on the individual's satisfaction, attitude toward future teamwork, and performance; provided support for the impact of processes on members' satisfaction; showed how team leadership influenced participants' attitudes about future teamwork; recognized a satisfaction component concerning the choice of technology, in particular the choice of email; and introduced the connection of the team members' occupation to their satisfaction and attitude about teamwork. Also, it has challenged some of the traditional findings concerning the importance of processes, team roles, and trust. The study showed that processes could evolve during the course of the teamwork without negative consequence to the overall team experience and member satisfaction. It revealed the significance of both the individual and group dimension of the team contributor role and its effect on satisfaction and attitudes about future teamwork. Moreover, the study made clear the criticality of relationship trust and its impact on team members' satisfaction and attitudes. Additionally, the study has augmented the sparse research about cross-functional teams in small nonprofit organizations by providing a clear description of the attributes characterizing teamwork. Furthermore, the study made known the significance of people relationships and showed that relationships were central to team members' satisfaction and attitudes about future teamwork. Recommendations that augment the team experience in terms of satisfaction, view of future teamwork, and performance included the development of team leaders, regular evaluation of the team environment, and attention to interpersonal relations of team dynamics. |
