Meta-analytic techniques were used to examine level of analysis and interdependence as moderators of observed relationships between task-specific team-efficacy, generalized potency, and performance. Sixty-seven empirical studies yielding 256 effect sizes were identified and meta-analyzed. Results demonstrated that relationships are moderated by level of analysis. Effect sizes were stronger at the team level (ρ =.39) than at the individual level (ρ =.20). At the team level, both team-efficacy and potency had positive relationships with performance (ρs =.41 and.37, respectively). Interdependence significantly moderated the relationship between team-efficacy and performance, but not between potency and performance. The relationship between team-efficacy and performance was stronger when interdependence was high (ρ =.45) than when it was low (ρ =.34).

The focus of how work is performed in organizations increasingly has shifted from individuals to teams (Devine, Clayton, Philips, Dunford, & Melner, 1999; Guzzo & Shea, 1992; Hackman, 1992; Sundstrom, De Meuse, & Futrell, 1990). Top management teams regularly make strategic decisions that influence the long-term viability of organizations (Amason, 1996; Korsgaard, Schweiger, & Sapienza, 1995), and the criticality of team functioning has been highlighted by instances in which breakdowns in team processes have led to disastrous consequences such as airline accidents (Foushee, 1984). Similarly, positive team functioning has been linked to increased team effectiveness for a variety of teams (Guzzo & Dickson, 1996), including road crews (Tesluk & Mathieu, 1999). Such outcomes have motivated researchers to develop a better understanding of determinants of team performance outcomes (Cannon-Bowers, Tannenbaum, Salas, & Volpe, 1995; Kozlowski, Gully, Nason, & Smith, 1999).

Researchers have theorized that task specific team-efficacy (Gist, 1987; Lindsley, Brass, & Thomas, 1995; Mischel & Northcraft, 1997) and generalized group potency (Guzzo, Yost, Campbell, & Shea, 1993; Shea & Guzzo, 1987a) are important determinants of team performance. Team-efficacy refers to perceptions...