Multiteam
Systems
It has been two decades...
Since organizational researchers began seriously grappling with the phenomenon of multiteam systems (MTSs) as an organizational form that crosses traditional team and organizational boundaries.
The MTS concept has been met with great enthusiasm as an organizational form that solves both theoretical and practical challenges.
However, the development of the MTS domain has been stifled by limited theory and a lack of
detailed empirical data.
I'm working to change that.
Definition
(n.) MTSs are "[t]wo or more teams that interface directly and interdependently in response to environmental contingencies toward the accomplishment of collective goals. MTS boundaries are defined by virtue of the fact that all teams within the system, while pursuing different proximal goals, share at least one common distal goal; and in doing so, exhibit input, process and outcome interdependence with at least one other team in the system" (Mathieu, Marks, & Zaccaro, 2001: 290)
