Subgroup formation in human-robot teams: A multi-study mixed-method approach with implications for theory and practice

Human-robot teams represent a challenging work application of artificial intelligence (AI). Building strong emotional bonds with robots is one solution to promoting teamwork in such teams, but does this come at a cost in the form of subgroups? Subgroups-smaller divisions within teams-in all human teams can undermine teamwork. Despite the importance of this question, it has received little attention. We employed a mixed-methods approach by conducting a lab experiment and a qualitative online survey. We (a) examined the formation and impact of subgroups in human-robot teams and (b) obtained insights from workers currently adapting to robots in the workplace on mitigating impacts of subgroups. The experimental study (Study 1) with 44 human-robot teams found that robot identification (RID) and team identification (TID) are associated with increases and decreases in the likelihood of a subgroup formation, respectively. RID and TID moderated the impacts of subgroups on teamwork quality and subsequent performance in human-robot teams. Study 2 was a qualitative study with 112 managers and employees who worked collaboratively with robots. We derived practical insights from this study that help situate and translate what was learned in Study 1 into actual work practices.