Cohesion, Team Potency, and Performance in Military Selection: Dynamics and Effectiveness
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of team process variables on team dynamics in military settings, using a sample of 196 candidates from the Portuguese Military Academy, organized into 28 teams. Assessments occurred at two time points, including self-reports on social and task cohesion, team potency, and viability, as well as external evaluations of leadership, self-control, and problem-solving. Results show that team potency strongly predicts leadership performance. Additionally, team viability partially mediates the relationship between potency and leadership, and fully mediates the link between task cohesion and problem-solving. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney tests and Structural Equation Modeling. Findings indicate increased team effectiveness over time, supported by improved communication and contextualized experience. The study underscores the importance of team cohesion and potency in developing military leadership and highlights team viability as a key mechanism for translating team dynamics into higher performance.
Keywords: collective efficacy, group potency, team effectiveness, personnel selection, workgroup cohesion.
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