Two sides of the same coin - A qualitative study of the consequences of collective psychological ownership in flat team structures

Sammanfattning: There has been a shift in the foundation of organisational structure where companies are now organised to work project- or team-based, implying more flat organisations, and as a result flat team structures are more prominent than ever. This concept has for instance been characterised as a contributor to a more committed workforce and ultimately company success. In fact, many characteristics in these new flat team structures are attributed to what Pierce et al. (2009) describe as collective psychological ownership. However, when researchers have studied this phenomenon before, a larger emphasis has been placed on the positive effects of collective psychological ownership, lacking an understanding for its negative consequences and how these might affect flat team structures. This leaves the question: What consequences does collective psychological ownership have within teams? To be able to investigate this, the authors of this thesis have conducted a qualitative study within a team in a fast growing company in the Swedish tech industry. The study has shown that collective psychological ownership consists of benefits but also several negative consequences, such as a double-edged sword paradox and a diffusion of responsibility within teams. By understanding the consequences of collective psychological ownership within teams, teams can enhance their awareness and knowledge regarding the backside of collective psychological ownership, and ultimately improve their internal dynamics. The findings of this thesis help to inform the consequences of collective psychological ownership, and it contributes to the explanation of why some organisations have not implemented flat team structures as a way to enhance employee commitment.