Diversity of Expertise, Social Diversity, and Commitment: A Comparison of Five Teams at a Care Organization

Abstract

In a three-paper dissertation format, this dissertation project examines five types of teams in a care organization that combines multiple levels of care. The study looked at the impact of diversity of expertise (study 1), social diversity (study 2), and commitment factors (study 3) in team environments in the context in which health and social care professionals participate together to serve older adults. This qualitative ethnographic study draws on 44 interviews, observations of 62 meetings, and a 5-year immersion in the setting. Broadly, the study is situated in the scholarship that examines the medical / non-medical divide, silo mindset, teams as action arms of care efforts, and the fit of social work in an interdisciplinary environment. Findings show that in the absence of direct organizational input into team design, diversity uptake, and rewards as perpetuated by pay inequity and high turnover, teams are left to self-organize, to cope with diversity ad-hoc, and commit based on intrinsic values rather than those stemming from team membership. The study draws on and contributes to organizational theories of team design, diversity theories, and the social work literature.