Hackman, J. Richard : Harvard University

J. Richard Hackman is Cahners-Rabb Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology at Harvard University. He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Illinois in 1966, and taught at Yale University until 1986. He is coauthor of several books, including Work Redesign (1980).

Explores the design and leadership of groups, providing detailed descriptions of twenty-seven diverse work groups--including task forces, top management groups, production teams, and customer service teams--to offer insights into what factors affect group productivity, and what leaders and group members can do to improve work group effectiveness.

Introduction: Work Teams in Organizations: An Orienting Frameword

Part One: Top Management Groups: Setting Organizational Directions

1. Fairfield Coordinating Group (Russel. Eisenstat)

2. Corporate Restructuring Team (Susan G. Cohen)

3. Hilltop Hospital Top Management Group (Susan G. Cohen)

4. Summary: Top Management Groups (Russell A. Eisenstat, Susan G. Cohen)

Part Two: Task Forces: Accomplishing One-Shot Projects

5. The Students (Connie J. G. Gersick)

6. The Bankers (Connie J. G. Gersick)

7. Credit Analysis Team (Mary Lou Davis-Sacks)

8. Summary: Task Forces (Connie J. G. Gersick, Mary Lou Davis-Sacks)

Part Three: Professional Support Teams: Providing Expert Assistance

9. The Tracking Team (Mary Lou Davis-Sacks)

10. Fairfield Systems Group (Russell A. Eisenstat)

11. Airline Maintenance Group (Daniel R. Denison)

12. Summary: Professional Support Groups (Mary Lou Davis-Sacks, Daniel R. Denison, Russell A. Eisenstat)

Part Four: Performing Groups: Playing to Audiences

13. Detroit STring Quartet (Tory Butterworth)

14. Children's Theatre Company (Stewart D. Friedman)

15. University Athletic Teams (William A. Kahn)

16. New Haven Nighthawks (Jack Denfeld Wood)

17. Summary: Performing Groups (Tory Butterworth, Stewart D. Friedman, William A. Kahn, Jack Denfeld Wood)

Part Five: Human Service Teams: Taking Care of People

18. Operating Room Nurses (Daniel R. Denison, Robert I. Sutton)

19. Midwest Federal Correctional Institution (Addie L. Perkins, David J. Abramis)

20. Mental Health Treatment Teams (Robert Shaw)

21. Summary: Human Service Teams (Addie L. Perkins, Robert Shaw, Robert I. Sutton)

Part Six: Customer Service Teams: Selling Products and Services

22. Beer Sales and Delivery Teams (Richard Saavedra)

23. Flight Attendant Teams (Susan G. Cohen, Daniel R. Denison)

24. Summary: Customer Service Teams (Richard Saavedra, Susan G. Cohen, Daniel R. Denison)

Part Seven: Production Teams: Turning Out the Product

25. Compressor Team Start-Up (Russell A. Eisenstat)

26. Airline Cockpit Crew (Robert C. Ginnett)

27. Semiconductor Manufacturing Team (David J. Abramis)

28. Summary: Production Teams Conclusion: Creating More Effective Work Groups in Organizations (J. Richard Hackman)