Other Sociology Commons^™

Ilr Impact Brief - Group Success Depends On Giving Individuals Credit Where Credit Is Due, Jack A. Goncalo, Michelle M. Duguid

Jack Goncalo

[Excerpt] Does the tendency of groups to take credit for their success without acknowledging the input of specific group members affect subsequent group performance? In a word, yes. This “group-serving bias” may cause groups to ignore or underestimate the potentially unique contributions made by each individual member, a common practice that can lead to inferior outcomes. When groups ascribe their success to individuals, they are more likely to explore a wide range of divergent alternatives before reaching consensus. Attribution to individuals also facilitates the sharing of information that is known to only one member of the group but is critical …