In a goal-oriented group setting, especially in the formative stages of the group, we seem to very quickly form notions of competency of other members, even before any interaction occurs. This notion seems to be based on status characteristics that we believe is relevant to the group's goal achievement. It is based on these competency notions, that we form individual performance expectations for the members.
For example, consider a group engaged in high-technology R&D. In such a group, based on an individual's distinct characteristics, such as educational attainment and past scientific achievements, his/her competency is ranked. This competency rank is later translated to performance expected from him/her. This process invariably results in high-performance expectations from those who are perceived to be more competent, and low performance expectations from those perceived to be less competent.
As the group members begin to interact, individual actual performance is likely to be compared to his/her expected performance, and evaluative judgements are made. It is in this context that a few questions arise -
- When actual performance is lower or higher than expected, how do the competency notions change?
- How do these re-calculated competency notions impact the individual member's future performance expectations and thereby future actual performances?
- Are performance expectations formed proportionately for every member according to their competency ranks? Or is it disproportionate for those in the higher and lower ranks?
- How do individuals arrive at performance expectations for self? Do they reconfigure their expectations based on competency notions of others and where they fall in that rank hierarchy?
- What judgements are likely when high-competency ranked individuals perform lower than expected? Similarly, what judgements are likely when low-competency individuals perform better than expected?
- What attributions - external or internal - are likely to be made for performance deviance by high-ranked and low-ranked members?
- Who are more likely - high or low competent members - to be penalized in such a process?
Hope to get more insights into these in the coming days.