Social loafing in brainstorming CMC teams: The role of moral disengagement

Omar Alnuaimi, Lionel Robert, Likoebe Maruping

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Social loafing, i.e. the tendency of some individuals to not exert as much effort in team settings as when they are working alone, has been identified as a major source of productivity loss in brainstorming teams. Studies of social loafing in brainstorming Computer Mediated Communication teams are scant. This paper examines the mechanisms through which previously identified antecedents (Group size and perceived loafing of other members) of social loafing work. This paper utilizes the Theory of Moral Disengagement which helps explain how people engage in antisocial, i.e. social loafing in this case, behavior by disengaging their self-sanctions that otherwise will restrain such conduct. To test the hypotheses, this study employs a controlled experiment with 47 undergraduate students from a Middle Eastern university. Findings indicate that diffusion of responsibility and dehumanization mediates the positive effect of group size on social loafing in brainstorming teams. Also, attribution of blame was found to have a direct negative effect on social loafing. Implications of these findings are discussed and managerial guidelines presented.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 42nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009
    Event42nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS - Waikoloa, HI, United States
    Duration: Jan 5 2009Jan 9 2009

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of the 42nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS

    Other

    Other42nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityWaikoloa, HI
    Period1/5/091/9/09

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Computer Science Applications
    • Information Systems

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