Empirical studies suggest that TMM-similarity impacts team effectiveness via team
processes. Mathieu et al. (2000) demonstrated that TMM-similarity has a positive effect
on communication, strategy, and co-operation, and consequently on performance. Two
studies of Marks and colleagues showed a positive impact of TMM-similarity on
communication (Marks et al., 2000), coordination and backup behaviours (Marks et al.,
2002), as well as on performance. Therefore, we propose that the TMM-similarity at the
beginning of the team lifecycle plays a role on subsequent team processes and
effectiveness.