Small-Group Interaction among Professional Librarians

Abstract

Libraries are using small groups to make decisions, and it is important that the decisions these groups make are effective. Small-group scholars argue that group processes and interactions play an important role and influence effective decision-making. Randy Y. Hirokawa developed a theory called Vigilant Interaction Theory which maintains that group interaction affects decision-making performance by directly shaping the quality of vigilance that leads to a final choice. Small groups consisting of professional librarians were used to test Hirokawa’s theory, and the results showed that group decision performance is directly related to the group’s efforts to perform critical vigilant decision-making functions. Specifically, groups that show a pattern generating more alternative solutions are more likely to develop effective decisions.