Measuring group maturity: The development of a process‐oriented variable for small group communication research

Abstract

This article describes the conceptualization and measurement of group maturity, a process‐oriented variable which focuses on small groups as a collectivity instead of on the individuals within the group. After examining the sources of this concept in organizational behavior literature, the essay traces the development and testing of scales to measure it. Finally, the essay discusses recent efforts to investigate group maturity aid future directions for small group and organizational communication research.