Executive Summary:
Recent research suggests that how teams perceive their differences influences team identity and social integration (Harrison, Price, Gavin, & Florey, 2002; Polzer, Milton, & Swann, 2002). We explore the formation and changes in team perceived similarity in a longitudinal sample of 25 teams. Results suggest that initially, perceived similarity about both surface and deep differences is driven by social category diversity. Over time, deep informational and value diversity produce conflict, which subsequently reduces perceptions of similarity. Finally, although initial levels of perceived similarity change, they have a powerful effect and persist, continuing to influence subsequent perceptions of similarity. |
