Gender composition, situational strength, and team decision-making accuracy: A criterion decomposition approach

This study reexamines conclusions regarding the superiority of all male teams on traditionally masculine tasks. By decomposing the criterion of decision-making accuracy, we illustrate how male-dominated teams may, in some contexts, constitute the worst gender composition. Specifically, as the percentage of males on a team increased, there was an exponential increase in the tendency for making decisions that were overaggressive. However, this bias in male-dominated teams' decision making was neutralized when teams received feedback on past levels of overaggressiveness. We document these effects in a study of 80 four-person teams using a simulation of a task that is masculine in its characteristics and male-dominated in terms of occupational demography. Possible interventions aimed at improving team decision-making accuracy are suggested. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).