LEADING EXTERNAL AUDITING TEAMS: THE CORRELATION BETWEEN LEADERS’ BEHAVIORS AND TEAM DYNAMICS OF COHESION AND CONFLICT

David Notgrass Tarleton State University

Charlene Conner Parker University 

Thomas J. Bell III Texas Wesleyan University

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to understand the correlations between leaders’ behaviors and the team dynamics of cohesion and conflict in an external Information Technology (IT) audit environment. This study examined the similarities between university accreditation teams and IT audit teams and identified specific leadership behaviors that have both positive and negative correlations with the team dynamics elements of team cohesion and team conflict in small, fast- forming, short-duration audit teams. This will allow for improved leadership practice and give direction for future research in small, fast-forming, short-duration team environments.