Attitude toward teamwork and effective teaming

The business sector has created a need for higher educational institutions to prepare students to be effective team players. Responding to this need, higher educational institutions have been using different forms of active learning as methods to promote teamwork among students and enhance their learning. Results from such initiatives have shown that students recognize that the teaming experience improves their interpersonal skills, yet they still prefer work individually. Attitude originated from negative team experiences. The purpose of this study was to determine what relationship exists between individual attitudes toward teaming and the presence of characteristics deemed essential for an effective team. The study suggests that when mature communication, accountable interdependence, psychological safety, common purpose, role clarity and clear goal are present during the process of teaming, the experience will have a positive effect on individuals' attitude toward teamwork.