THE EFFECTS OF SELECTION-RULES ON GROUP COMPOSITION AND SELECTION OUTCOME

A conceptual framework based upon a vector model of individual preferential choice was developed to describe the process by which new members are selected by an existing group. Of specific concern was the effect of the group's selection rule on group composition. An experiment was conducted which examined the effects of three selection rules, including that used by the MBA admissions committee of a large urban university on the composition of the accepted applicants. The empirical results supported the primary hypothesis that the unanimous vote selection rule would generate a more homogeneous group of new students than would the majority vote selection rule. Implications for group decisions regarding personnel, strategic, policy, political and task-oriented issues were discussed.