Abstract:

Undergraduate business student working in student project teams over 12 weeks participated in two exercises aimed at uncovering perceptions of social loafing behaviour within their teams. Data from these two exercises were combined with information obtained from a review of the literature to develop a survey questionnaire. The survey was completed by 229 students (N = 229) of which 54% (n = 124) identified a social loafer in their teams despite coursework instruction about team dynamics (including social loafing). Further analysis showed that students perceive four distinct underlying components of social loafing behaviour in their teams. These four dimensions include unavailability (e.g., loafer did not come to meetings or respond to messages), poor work quality (e.g. contributed work perceived as unsatisfactory), discussion non-contribution (e.g. did not participate in team discussions) and technology loafing (e.g. used technology inappropriately during team discussions). These behaviours differ from the traditional perception of social loafing. Implications for social loafing research and student team learning is discussed.

Keywords:

Social loafing, student teams.