Multiteam Systems in the U.S. Army: Conceptual Review, Training Considerations, and Future Research Directions

Multiteam systems, or teams of teams, are common in the U.S. Army, and are expected to become more prevalent in the future operational environment. Indeed, multiteam systems are better capable of accomplishing goals in complex task environments than single teams in part through more diverse specialization and greater flexibility. The literature on multiteam systems is still in its early stages, especially in comparison with the broader study of teams. The empirical research on multiteam systems is particularly lacking, which is understandable considering the difficulty of studying this topic. Researchers have in turn focused on theoretical articulation at the expense of providing empirical research that offers practical implications for improving the effectiveness of multiteam systems. The purpose of this review is to provide a conceptual overview of multiteam systems, with an aim toward identifying areas for research on multiteam systems training in the Army. Fundamental principles from the organizational training literature were used to develop 11 research questions. These questions provide the groundwork for future theoretical articulation and empirical research toward the ultimate goal of improving multiteam system effectiveness in the Army.