External competitive comparisons can boost internal cross-functional cooperation

Evidence

In organizational contexts, this has the potential benefit of increasing focus on external comparisons (e.g., competitors) while simultaneously increasing cooperation across divisional or cross-functional areas within the organization. Thus, dual identification within workplace hierarchies may lead to increased productivity and team performance. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 740

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to research on competitive benchmarking as a unifying internal force, e.g., the common enemy effect in group dynamics. — connects to: Extreme prolonged competition creates hyper-specialized economic niches within a region — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 114