Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between team dynamics in mainstream bands and success, using team climate for innovation theory factors ("vision," "participative safety," "task orientation," "support for innovation," and "interaction frequency") to assess effectiveness. A secondary purpose was to explore mainstream bands' perceptions of how team dynamics contributed to their success. Methodology. This study used qualitative interviews to explore the following questions: 1. What is the relationship between team dynamics within mainstream rock bands and success, utilizing the following five factors of team climate for innovation theory to assess overall effectiveness: (a) vision, (b) task orientation, (c) participative safety, (d) support for innovation, and (e) interaction frequency? 2. What other factors of team dynamics do mainstream rock bands perceive as being elemental to their success? 3. By what standards do mainstream rock bands define success? Findings. The following themes answered the research questions: vision, participative safety, brotherhood/marriage/family, task orientation, shared experience of being a band, traveling/touring, support for innovation, conflict, commitment, hard work, creating music/music for a living, norms, believing in the band, being on the same page, getting it done, financial, success maintenance, doing what you love/what's fun, writing/releasing/playing music, positive critiques, interaction frequency, on/off season, setting/changing goals, creating a good feeling/genuineness, luck/timing, clear roles, being the best, and support for innovation not represented. Conclusions. Team climate for innovation theory is applicable to bands, indicating a relationship between its factors and band as team success. Other team dynamics factors, such as shared experiences and norms, were also relevant. Thus, the study supported the adaptation of the team climate inventory (TCI) for qualitative use with other permanent or semipermanent teams. Bands defined success in terms of happiness and financial gain. Recommendations. Additional research is needed to build a framework of band as team success and further validate the adapted, qualitative TCI. Topics such as shared leadership and process limits creativity could also be explored to further bridge the gap between organizational leadership and popular music literature, as these topics might present other commonalities between organizational teams and bands in their efforts to achieve success.