The main objective of this study is to validate the relationship between group goal setting characteristics and group performance in case of 23 Industrial Technology Research Associations in Korea. After reviewing the previous studies and relevant literatures, the model and hyphotheses are derived. The model focuses on the group goal setting characteristics such as goal contents and goal setting processes, goal acceptance and commitment, group cohesiveness, and environmental factors which influence the performance of Industrial Technology Research Associations.
Data were collected through interviews and questionnaire from the sample covering 23 Industrial Technology Research Associations. The data were analyzed by using Kendall's correlation, Kruskal-Wallis 1-Way ANOVA, and stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis.
The important results of this study are as follows.
1. Among the goal content variables, goal specificity and goal attractiveness are important influencing factors on group performance.
2. The goal setting process variables such as participation in goal setting and goal setting efficiency, are also important influencing factors on group performance.
3. Goal attractiveness and participation in goal setting influence group performance indirectly through goal acceptance and group cohesiveness.
4. Environmental factor influences goal setting process variables, goal acceptance, and group cohesiveness.
