INSTRUCTIONS:
Respond to the post below that discusses different theories than you did in one or more of the following ways:
· Respectfully comment on whether you agree with your colleague about which concept, theory, or model would be better suited, and why or why not. Provide evidence from the literature to support your arguments.
· Recommend a different concept, theory, or model that your colleague had not considered, and explain why the theory would be useful for improving team effectiveness. Provide evidence from the literature to support your arguments.
Shaina
Comparing Group Dynamics Models: Structure vs. Fairness
As a Senior Population Science Strategist at a leading contract research organization, I have had the opportunity to work on cross-functional teams tasked with addressing critical issues in clinical research operations, particularly around advancing health equity. Two group dynamics frameworks that have shaped my understanding of effective teamwork are Tuckman’s Stages of Group Development and Organizational Justice. These models offer complementary insights into how teams evolve from conception to implementation and how fairness influences collaboration and ethical climate.
How Each Model Supports Team Effectiveness
Tuckman’s model describes how teams evolve through the progression of five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning (Neck et al., 2024). It helps explain common group challenges like early-stage misalignment, lack of role clarity, or mid-project conflict and provides a roadmap for improving group cohesion and productivity over time. In contrast, Organizational Justice theory examines how fairness in decision-making, communication, allocation of resources and workload, and interpersonal treatment influences attitudes, trust, and engagement (Ones et al., 2018). These perceptions influence team morale, engagement, and performance at every stage. While Tuckman’s model offers a structural view of team progression through behavioral phases, Organizational Justice addresses the perceptions of fairness and how it shapes ethical climate, collaboration, and psychological safety. Together, these models provide both a developmental and ethical lens for team optimization.
Applying Organizational Justice to Equity-focused Projects
In my current role, I have led several internal and external strategy sessions on how to intentionally diversify clinical trial participation. These discussions often center around identifying underrepresented populations and building equity into site selection strategies. However, when we move toward implementation, particularly where changes may require modest budget shifts or added operational resources, the momentum and priority of these efforts quickly fade. These efforts are often deprioritized due to assumed added costs, and decisions are made without transparent communication or meaningful inclusion of key stakeholders.
On one project specifically focused on increasing racial and ethnic representation in an oncology trial, the cross-functional team lacked clear and consistent communication from leadership regarding budget allocations and site-selection decisions. This led to confusion and ultimately diminished trust among internal and external collaborators. Despite early alignment and enthusiasm, the project stalled when perceived costs became a barrier. No formal debriefs followed, and the site recommendations were tabled indefinitely. If Organizational Justice principles had been applied, such as procedural transparency and inclusive decision-making, the team could have maintained engagement and salvaged modified solutions (Ones et al., 2018). Even a brief explanation of constraints and a collaborative revision of goals could have reinforced trust, preserved momentum, and helped the team feel respected and valued (Neck et al. 2024). When fairness is perceived, team members are more likely to engage in organizational citizenship behaviors that enhance collective outcomes.
Ultimately, while both models enhance understanding of group dynamics, Organizational Justice offers an actionable and culturally responsive framework for fostering inclusion and sustaining collaboration, particularly in high-stakes clinical research environments where health equity is constantly at risk of being sidelined.
References
Neck, C. P., Houghton, J. D., & Murray, E. L. (2024). *Organizational behavior: A skill-building approach* (3rd ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
Ones, D. S., Anderson, N., Sinangil, H. K., & Viswesvaran, C. (Eds.). (2018). *The Sage handbook of industrial, work, and organizational psychology* (2nd ed., Vol. 2). Sage Publications, Inc.
