Date of Award

Fall 2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

College of Education

Department

Department of Education

Primary Advisor

Dr. Amy N Bratten

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas Gollery

Third Advisor

Dr. Karen M. Ingle

Abstract

This study investigates the best practices of team cohesion in small schools. The conclusions from the study assist future educational leaders with using best practices to influence team cohesion within school settings that have small groups of staff. If faculty can achieve team cohesion, goals can be achieved and success can be attained. Research for large organizations and team cohesion is documented; however, this study fills a gap in research by focusing on small schools. The study’s conclusions help prove that small schools benefit from team cohesion and outline the best practices for reaching team cohesion. This study is a quantitative survey-based research study to establish the best practices of team cohesion in small schools. Surveys were given to teachers employed at small private schools in order to investigate perceptions of team cohesion. Though task-oriented cohesion and social-oriented cohesion were a part of the Framework of Cohesive Teams Survey, for study purposes, only those items that were validated to a 100% level in the area of “task” were utilized in the research instrument. The top predictors of team cohesion were the participants’ perception of satisfaction with their organizational leader’s commitment to establishing a cohesive, team-building approach in leading the organization. Avoids secretive behavior in matters pertaining to the team members and the organization was the top practice of team cohesion distinguished by the study.

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