Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the perceived effectiveness of participative work teams and team member motivational needs. Two questionnaires were administered to participants in the California School Leadership Academy School Leadership Team training program. Correlational, descriptive and ex post facto research was used to answer four research questions. A multiple regression analysis examined if a significant relationship existed between ratings of team effectiveness and team member motivational needs. A t test for independent samples explored if a significant difference existed in the perceptions of team effectiveness between team members from elementary and secondary work environments. A two-way analysis of variance examined differences in team member needs, in the perceptions of team effectiveness as a result of work environment, and if a significant difference existed in team member needs from elementary or secondary teams of high or low effectiveness. No significant relationships were found between team member motivational needs and team member ratings of effectiveness. No significant differences were found in team member perceptions of effectiveness or team member motivational needs based upon work environment. Elementary and secondary work team members were found to manifest significantly different needs. No significant differences were found in the motivational needs of team members from elementary and secondary work teams of high and low effectiveness. The results of this study do not support the commonly held notion that a relationship exists between worker motivation and organizational effectiveness. A greater variety of instruments designed to measure work team effectiveness are recommended. The finding that the perceptions of team effectiveness and team members motivational needs were not influenced by work setting runs counter to the commonly held belief that individuals from elementary and secondary environments are of a different nature. It is suggested that schools should bring elementary and secondary teams together to assist each other in creating more effective work teams. The significant differences evident in team member motivational needs supports behavioralist assertions that worker motivation is a significant factor in developing highly productive organizations. Further studies in worker motivation are recommended.