A review of research on personality in teams: Accounting for pathways spanning levels of theory and analysis

Over the last half century there has been a great deal of interest in the role of personality in teams. In this article we review the theoretical and empirical research on this topic to summarize what we have learned and also to provide a foundation for future research necessary for application of this knowledge to human resource management decisions. We describe research that emphasizes both team- and individual-levels of analysis and theory, and we discuss recent efforts that attempt to bridge these two levels. We conclude by identifying several issues that should take precedence in research in order to advance our understanding of the role of personality in teams. ► Team member personality influences team effectiveness through several pathways. ► Pathways involve individual-level, team-level, and cross-level relationships. ► Effects of member personality on team effectiveness can be substantial. ► Effects of member personality are strongest with behavioral and process criteria. ► Researchers need to examine additional traits, criteria, and linking mechanisms.