Temporal aspects of the group cohesion-group performance relationship in an experiential computerized business simulation

Research on group cohesion has generated conflicting findings. The present study was designed to examine the temporal aspects of the reciprocal relationship between group cohesiveness and group performance. A computerized business simulation was used to examine the longitudinal aspects of this relationship, as well as the impact of a group formation method. Participants were 412 undergraduate students enrolled in a third-year business strategy class. Students formed groups to participate in a semester-long computerized business strategy simulation game. Results indicate there is a significant cyclical relationship between group cohesion and group performance. In investigating the directionality of the relationship between both constructs, the "group performance leads to group cohesion" relationship was stronger than the inverse "group cohesion leads to group performance" relationship. Furthermore, the group formation method was found to influence levels of group cohesion. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.