Managing Communication in Knowledge-Intensive Service Teams: Groupthink Theory Revisited

Abstract

Changing organizational structures of new service firms, especially knowledge intensive services (KIS) which have become more complicated and diversified in recent years require better organizational communication. This study points out that team management and communication in KIS have some special characteristics and should be discussed in line with the theory of Groupthink. The present paper contributes that leadership and organizational culture are very important antecedent conditions for groupthink in KIS teams, and require further investigations. Along with examining the advantages and disadvantages of presented solutions to avoid groupthink incidences, this paper also provides implications for practice.