The importance of high performing team members in complex team work: results from quasi-experiments in professional team sports

Abstract

This paper empirically assesses peer effects of high performing team members in reciprocally interdependent team production. Using data from the National Basketball Association (NBA), we identify peer effects by exploiting unforeseen in-game injuries of high performing players. Results indicate that without a high performing player, other team members maintain efficiency and the division of tasks among each other. However, they slightly increase risk taking and decrease their individual output, resulting in an inferior overall outcome. These effects depend on whether a high performing player has a team-oriented or a self-oriented role in the team. Additionally, we observe that relatively skilled players try to step in for the absent high performing player.