A cross level analysis of the influence of a team leader’s personality, gender diversity and group participation on university students’ academic performance

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the influence of a team leader’s personality on students’ academic performance and explore the underlying mechanism. Three hundred thirty-eight university students who were enrolled in a Happy Psychology curriculum participated in the survey. Hierarchical linear regression was used to test the hypotheses, with academic performance as the outcome, the team leader’s personality as the independent variable, group participation as the mediator, and gender diversity as the moderator. The results showed that the neuroticism and conscientiousness of the team leader had a direct or indirect effect (through group participation) on university students’ academic performance and that gender diversity moderated the direct or indirect effect of group participation on students’ academic performance. These findings could broaden and deepen the understanding of the influence of team leaders’ personality on students’ academic performance in problem-based classes. A team leader’s personality and gender diversity should be considered in team construction.

KEYWORDS:

• Team leader’s personality
• academic performance
• group participation
• gender diversity
• problem-based learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Teaching Reform Program of Jiangxi province [Grant number: JXJG-18-2-31; JXJG-17-2-33; JXYJG-2018-037] and Teaching Reform Program of Jiangxi Normal University [Grant number: YJG201901].

Notes on contributors

Jianping Fu

Dr. Jianping Fu is a lecturer at the College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, China. Her research interests are educational technology, and computer supported collaborative learning.

Zaichao Han

Mr. Zaichao Han is an instructor at the College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, China. His research focuses on college students’ mental health and career planning.

Shenghong Dong

Dr Shenghong Dong is a professor at the School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China. His research focuses on educational assessment.

Yunhong Huang

Dr. Yunhong Huang is an associate professor at the College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, China. His research focuses on educational technology, and E-learning.

Fujun Shi

Mr Fujun Shi is a graduate students at the School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China. His research focuses on educational assessment.

Jianping Liu

Mr. Jianping Liu is a professor at the School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China. His research focuses on educational psychology.

Xiaoshan Li

Dr. Xiaoshan Li is a lecturer at the School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China. His research interest focuses on educational technology, and E-learning.