摘要
如何管理团队中的一致性(“同”)和多样性(“异”)是重要的研究问题。最优区分理论提供了一个认识该问题的重要视角,个体既有与特定群体保持相似的“同属”需要,也有表现个人独特一面的“区分”需要。这两种心理需要间有内在张力,能否较好地满足和平衡二者会给个体和团队带来影响。本研究指出,该理论存在一些局限性。研究基于领导和管理的时空理论,结合最优区分和团队管理研究,构建了在团队管理中如何实现和促进最优区分的理论。研究阐述了如何用时空理论理解团队管理,分析了团队中的“同属”和“区分”在空间(维度、层次)和时间(动态)上的表现与特征。研究提出了基于时空理论的团队最优区分管理框架,指出领导者可以在维度、层次上动态地采取不同措施,以实现对看似对立需要的协调统一。研究借助重心隐喻阐述了该理论框架对综合、系统地考虑多要素的强调,建构了最优区分的时空平衡和时空最优解。研究最后讨论了理论贡献、实践意义和未来展望。
How to comprehend and manage the conformity(assimilation)and diversity(differentiation)of a team is an important research topic and also a problem to be settled in organizational practice,because it is difficult for the team to not only fully leverage the advantages of overall coordination,but also make good use of positive effects of each member’s unique value.Optimal distinctiveness theory,which highlights understanding and balancing the activation and interaction of team members’two basic psychological needs,provides a valuable perspective for analyzing this question,pointing out that an individual has both needs for assimilation with specific groups and needs for differentiation from others in social environment.Because of the inherent tension between these two types of needs,whether two needs are satisfied and balanced or not will generate motivational influences on the individual and his or her team.We point out,however,that this theory is limited to some extent in analyzing and solving the above problem.First,this theory is deficient in solving the competitive problem between needs and exploring the realization of the optimal balancing path.Second,the existing theory lacks the theoretical development from the perspective of team leaders.Third,this theory assumes that two needs are competing and contradictory,a balance can be achieved only when two needs are satisfied moderately,which is actually a compromise solution according to this study,rather than settling the optimization that maximizes the satisfaction of both needs.In order to solve the above problem,we develop the relevant theoretical building.Based on time-space theory of leadership and management,and integrating optimal distinctiveness theory and team management literature,the current research develops a theoretical framework for the achievement of optimal distinctiveness in team management.We first illustrate the rationality and importance of explaining team management through a time-space theoretical lens,namely team management can be conceptualized as activities involving different levels and interactions among multiple levels,also relating to in-team dimensional classifications and dimensional combinations,and team management,as a process,can change dynamically as time goes by.Furthermore,we analyze and find,from the space(dimension,level)and time(dynamic)perspective,that assimilation needs and differentiation needs in team conformity and diversity management show different manifestations and characteristics.Differences may be available for the team in seeking for assimilation and differentiation dimensions,and different members are also different in exploring assimilation and differentiation dimensions.When team members focus on a higher(lower)level of objects,assimilation(differentiation)needs are easily satisfied.In addition,the intensity and significance of assimilation needs and differentiation needs among team members may differentiate and vary in different periods of time.Specifically,team members are more likely to seek assimilation in some time periods and more differentiation in other time periods.Then,from the perspective of team leadership,the current research constructs a team management theoretical framework for optimal distinctiveness based on time-space theory,proposing that different methods and tactics can be taken in spatial(dimension,level)and temporal(dynamic)perspectives,so as to achieve the optimal balance between two seemingly opposing needs by an overall,systematic and comprehensive management for seeking common ground while reserving differences.During team management,leaders can achieve optimal distinctiveness from a dimension-related perspective by emphasizing conformity in some dimensions to meet team members’needs for assimilation,and emphasizing distinctiveness in other dimensions to meet their needs for differentiation.Leaders can also implement strategies at higher levels to meet the needs for assimilation,and implement strategies at lower levels to meet the needs for differentiation,so as to achieve optimal differentiation from a level-related perspective.Additionally,leaders can meet the assimilation needs of employees in some time periods and satisfy the differentiation needs of employees in other time periods,so as to dynamically realize the optimal distinctiveness.This study also constructs and uses the metaphor of three sides of a triangle,the midpoint of such three sides and the center of gravity of the triangle and their changes to vividly depict the process of team optimal distinctiveness management under time-space theory.In summary,we provide a multi-parameter model to extend the discussions on optimal distinctiveness from pursuing a single-dimensional balance to considering a multi-dimensional balance,to make efforts and maintain an optimal solution in a specific time-space situation,rather than coordinating the compromise solution,so as to break through three limitations of the optimal differentiation theory mentioned earlier.By managing assimilation and differentiation at different dimensions,levels and periods,the either-or tensions during balance may be weakened.This study advances the development of the team management field to provide a valuable theoretical framework for solving the team conformity and diversity balance,also offer an insightful approach for advancing studies related to team diversity including team faultline,subgroup and so like.This study also enhances the understanding of optimal differentiation theory,we provide enlightenment on how to better solve the assimilation-differentiation paradox and achieve optimal balance in team management.Moreover,this study enriches the theoretical application and elaboration of time-space theory as a theoretical typology of leadership and management,and it also presents important suggestions and guidance for the team management practice.
作者
陈国权
陈科宇
CHEN Guoquan;CHEN Keyu(School of Economics and Management,Tsinghua University,Beijing 100084,China;School of Labor Economics,Capital University of Economics and Business,Beijing 100070,China)
出处
《管理工程学报》
CSSCI
CSCD
北大核心
2024年第2期35-50,共16页
Journal of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
基金
国家自然科学基金项目(72172071、71772099)
清华大学自主科研计划文科专项项目(2021THZWJC31)。
关键词
团队管理
最优区分理论
时空理论
同属需要
区分需要
Team management
Optimal distinctiveness theory
Time-space theory
Need for assimilation
Need for differentiation
