Introduction
Organizations increasingly rely on teams to accomplish tasks, and several factors may affect teams’ effectiveness. Yet, organizations’ approach to building and leading effective teams is not always evidence-based nor consistent with contemporary research. It often fails to account for the increased uncertainty and volatility of the environment in which teams operate, as well as for the changing composition and nature of teams (i.e, multicultural and virtual).
This course aims to provide students with up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills to build and lead effective teams. It tackles contemporary issues and discusses contemporary theories and research rather than classical theories and research. This course is based on the pedagigical principles of problem and team based learning approaches. This is central to enable students to experience team processes and learn to apply key theretical concepts to practice. Students will work extensively in teams and participate in several team interventions. The goal is for students to be able to develop team interventions based on contemporary research and methods to promote team effectiveness. They will be asked to solve problems in teams, and critically discuss theories, research, and practical cases in teams. The course structure is aligned with key skills that are necessary for contemporary team leadership.