https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/P_MTPRORGIn this course you will learn about the nature of organizational teams and different processes in these teams and their organizational context that have implications for the functioning of these teams. After taking this course you will be able to:recognize and systematically describe characteristics of teams and how teams evolve across their life cycle. understand how team members interact, exchange information, manage diversity and conflict, reach decisions, and adapt to change, and understand how that affects team outcomes. reflect on your own team working skills and work more effectively in a team. select a team diagnostic tool for a specific team, apply this tool, analyze the results of your diagnosis, and identify a suitable team development intervention based on your results.Organizations increasingly make use of teams to accomplish important tasks. In this course we first explore the nature and characteristics of teams in organizations, discuss how to describe and distinguish different team and how team develop over time. We then move on to specific topics in the area that are important for working in and managing teams. Topics include for example information sharing, decision making, diversity management, conflict resolution, and managing and adapting to change. We also discus practical methods for diagnosing (challenges faced by) teams and for developing team development interventions, and apply these methods in a team project. Students will form teams at the beginning of the course and work on the team project throughout the course.Readings and knowledge clip will be made available in which key concepts, theories, and methods are explained. These concepts, theories, and methods will be illustrated and applied in interactive exercises that student take part in during weekly on-campus meetings. Students will also work on a team project throughout the course that includes a compulsory, virtual team presentation followed by a discussion.Grading will be based on a team project that takes place throughout the course (40% of grade) and on a written exam that take place after the course (60% of grade). You need to pass both the team project and the exam in order to complete this course (i.e., both grades mut be ≥ 5.5). Failure to actively participate in a team will result in being unenrolled. Please keep in mind that partial grades are only valid for the duration of the academic year in which they were earned.Scientific papers covering the topics covered in the course will be announced on Canvas.Students need to self-enroll in a team for the team project via the Canvas course site at the beginning of the course. Students who do not enroll in a team will not be able to pass this course. More information will follow on Canvas.Students are strongly encouraged to review their knowledge of social psychological theories and group processes prior to the course.