TRUST-EFFECTIVENESS BRIDGE: HOW TEAM COHESION AND SATISFACTION MATTER?

Abstract

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to explore the role of team trust in shaping team effectiveness among undergraduate students engaged in collaborative academic projects. Specifically, the study examines how trust within student teams affects their overall satisfaction with the group experience, their sense of cohesion, and ultimately, the quality and success of their group outcomes.

Methodology: The study was conducted within the Organization and Management course, a core subject in the Economics of Entrepreneurship study program. A total of 89 students were divided into 26 teams, each tasked with analyzing a real-world organization and proposing an improved organizational structure.

Results: The analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between team trust and both team satisfaction and team cohesion. In other words, students who reported higher levels of trust in their team mates were also more likely to feel satisfied with the group experience and perceive their teams as cohesive and well-functioning. Furthermore, both team satisfaction and team cohesion were found to be positively linked to team effectiveness, defined as the quality and success of the group’s final output.

Conclusion: The study highlights the central importance of trust in building effective student teams and reinforces findings from organizational behavior literature within a real academic setting. When trust is present, team members are more likely to feel engaged, supported, and motivated, which leads to greater collaboration, smoother communication, and ultimately better performance. These insights have practical implications for both educators and managers.