| Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory serves as the basis for a model of learning in groups and teams. It suggests two sets of variables related to learning: learning style composition and group process. Composition was measured with Kolb's (1999) Learning Style Inventory Version 3. Group processes measured include efficacy, psychological safety, satisfaction, conflict resolution, identity, cohesion, and agreement. Results of a study of 62 short term project groups are reported. Groups were engaged in a time constrained ill-structured problem-solving exercise based on a modified version of King and Kitchener's (1994) model of reflective judgement and critical thinking.Thematic analysis of group written responses yields a three level model of integrative complexity that serves as a proxy measure for learning and provides a qualitative, short answer questionnaire to measure integrative complexity in groups. Results of statistical analyses support that learning results from a combination of the learning style composition and group process. Data show that integrative complexity in groups is related to the individual learning style composition of groups and to shared perceptions of the group. Learning style composition and the shared perceptions of the group related to learning account for as much as 46% of the variance in integrative complexity. Learning style is most related to the difference in moving from level 1 to level 2 integrative complexity, and shared perceptions are most related to moving from level 2 to level 3. Further, while certain shared perceptions are common to integrative complexity in all groups, learning style composition of a group is related to the unique shared perceptions that emerge in groups faced with a time-constrained, ill-structured problem-solving task. Factor analysis on the LSI show support for a two factor solution and support factor analysis of ipsitive measures. Implications for management education and practice, organizational knowledge creation, learning in short term project teams, and group and social cognition are discussed. |
