Workgroup climate, team KSAOs, and social perceptions: When do shared perceptions and group characteristics lead to dysfunctional outcomes

Using a longitudinal design, the present research examined the additive and multiplicative effects of group characteristics (i.e., group psychopathy and teamwork KSAs) and situational perceptions (i.e., team climate, collective efficacy, and perceived social loafing) on group social loafing behavior, interpersonal deviance, and team performance. 508 business students comprising 107 student teams (35 MBA and 72 undergraduate teams) completed a group project as part of a course requirement for a core organizational behavior class. Respondents completed three surveys throughout the term that assessed group perceptions, task-related behaviors, and non-task related behaviors. Results indicate that (1) groups possessing higher teamwork KSAs had a more positive team climate, greater collective efficacy, and lower perceptions of social loafing, (2) groups characterized by high levels of psychopathy had diminished perceptions of climate and collective efficacy, and higher levels of social loafing behavior and interpersonal deviance, and (3) the effects of team climate on social loafing behavior and interpersonal deviance were mediated by collective efficacy and/or perceived social loafing. In contrast, psychopathy did not moderate the relationship between perceived social loafing and either interpersonal deviance or social loafing behavior. Overall, the pattern of results suggests that climate perceptions, aversive personality profiles, and non-technical KSAs all have utility for explicating group phenomena. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.