Short answer
Design teams and organizational structures to facilitate cascading influence, minimizing steepness and centralization of power, to foster better collaboration and outcomes.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Academy of Management Journal (2015)
- Method
- Quantitative research
- Sample
- 75 teams
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Structuring team influence as a clear, cascading flow rather than a steep, unequal power distribution significantly reduces conflict and enhances both group output and member contentment. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Academy of Management Journal. Using Quantitative research with 75 teams, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design teams and organizational structures to facilitate cascading influence, minimizing steepness and centralization of power, to foster better collaboration and outcomes.
Cascading Influence Hierarchies Boost Team Performance and Satisfaction
Structuring team influence as a clear, cascading flow rather than a steep, unequal power distribution significantly reduces conflict and enhances both group output and member contentment.
Academy of Management Journal · 2015
Key Findings
- 01Acyclicity in influence relations (cascading influence) was found to reduce conflict.
- 02Acyclicity in influence relations enhanced both group performance and member satisfaction.
- 03Centralization and steepness of hierarchy had negative effects on conflict, performance, and satisfaction, especially for complex tasks.
Application
Design takeaway
Design teams and organizational structures to facilitate cascading influence, minimizing steepness and centralization of power, to foster better collaboration and outcomes.
How to apply
When forming a new design team or restructuring an existing one, map out the intended flow of information and decision-making, ensuring it's a clear cascade rather than a bottleneck.
Project actions
- 01When defining roles in a design project, consider how tasks and decisions will flow between them.
- 02Observe how influence operates in existing teams and identify areas where it might be too centralized or steep.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Empirical testing of different hierarchy conceptualizations.
- +Inclusion of diverse industries, increasing generalizability.
Limitations
It can be challenging to accurately measure 'influence' in a real-world design team setting, and team satisfaction can be subjective.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliance on self-reported or observed influence and performance metrics could introduce subjectivity. Further research could employ more objective performance measures and longitudinal studies to assess long-term effects.
Think critically
If cascading influence is so beneficial, why do many organizations still operate with steep, centralized hierarchies?
Design Principles
"Design for fluid influence, not rigid authority."
Understanding the nuanced nature of hierarchy is crucial for designing effective team structures. By shifting focus from rigid power imbalances to dynamic influence pathways, design practitioners can foster more collaborative and productive environments, leading to better project outcomes and improved user or team member experiences.
What This Means for Your Design
Think of a team like a river: if the water flows smoothly from source to sea (cascading influence), it's efficient and productive. If it's dammed up or unevenly distributed (inequality), it causes problems.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify your chosen team structure or to analyze the effectiveness of an existing one in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The research by Bunderson et al. (2015) highlights the critical distinction between hierarchy as cascading influence and hierarchy as inequality. Their findings suggest that designing team structures that promote a clear, acyclic flow of influence, rather than steep or centralized power, is crucial for reducing conflict and enhancing both team performance and member satisfaction. This principle is directly applicable to the design of collaborative project teams, where fostering effective communication and decision-making pathways can lead to more successful project outcomes.
Source
Academy of Management Journal
Different Views of Hierarchy and Why They Matter: Hierarchy as Inequality or as Cascading Influence
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about cascading influence hierarchies boost team performance and satisfaction?
- Design teams and organizational structures to facilitate cascading influence, minimizing steepness and centralization of power, to foster better collaboration and outcomes. Evidence: Academy of Management Journal (2015).
- Why does "Cascading Influence Hierarchies Boost Team Performance and Satisfaction" matter for design?
- Understanding the nuanced nature of hierarchy is crucial for designing effective team structures. By shifting focus from rigid power imbalances to dynamic influence pathways, design practitioners can foster more collaborative and productive environments, leading to better project outcomes and improved user or team member experiences.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design teams and organizational structures to facilitate cascading influence, minimizing steepness and centralization of power, to foster better collaboration and outcomes.
- What were the main findings?
- Acyclicity in influence relations (cascading influence) was found to reduce conflict.. Acyclicity in influence relations enhanced both group performance and member satisfaction.. Centralization and steepness of hierarchy had negative effects on conflict, performance, and satisfaction, especially for complex tasks.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative research with 75 teams.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Academy of Management Journal.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When forming a new design team or restructuring an existing one, map out the intended flow of information and decision-making, ensuring it's a clear cascade rather than a bottleneck.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings might be more pronounced in certain industries or team types; the specific nature of 'complex tasks' was not detailed.