Membership stability and performance: A study of baseball clubs and laboratory groups

Chang, K

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the association across membership stability, group
boundary and group performance. Using Professional Chinese Baseball League’s data
(Seasons 2003–2007), Study One reveals that the membership stability of baseball
clubs was correlated with their annual rank and win-probability, and that stable teams
outperformed unstable teams. Membership stability also predicted win-probability in
four out of five seasons. Using undergraduate students, Study Two reveals that
members from unstable groups (i.e. groups with higher membership turnover) had
higher intention of leaving their groups and more departures. Members from stable
groups had better group performance, group cohesion, and group dynamics, which all
resulted in members displaying more trust in their colleagues and an increased
willingness to cooperate with them. Implications of the findings include that stable
membership is a crucial factor in the promotion of group dynamics and overall
performance, and that the nature of a group’s boundary affects its membership
turnover. Policies should also be devised to manage membership stability, as
maintaining an appropriate turnover rate is essential both to individuals and to groups,
such as employees and their organizations.

Citation

Chang, K. (2011). Membership stability and performance: A study of baseball clubs and laboratory groups. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(2), 457-480. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.540165

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2013
• Journal: The International Journal of Human Resource Management
• Print ISSN: 0958-5192
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 457-480
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.540165
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.540165
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rijh20