On The Core Size of Small Task Groups and Determinants of the Emergence of the Core Size

Abstract

Experiment is conducted in a computer simulated business game setting to examine primarily the issue of the core group size, which is the actual group size minus the marginal members of that group, and determinants of the emergence of such a group size. The findings of the study indicate that while the core group size is not a universe) phenomenon it is nonetheless the case in the majority of the groups under study. They further reveal that the emergence of the core group size can be explained by six major factors: grade point average (CPA), sex composition of the group (SEXG), ability to grasp the problems encountered (GRASP), degree of passive communication (COMMN), , degree of emphasis on team work (TEAM), and team acceptance of self (LIKED).