Task complexity
In his work on shared leadership, Pearce (2004) suggested that “the more complex the task, the lower the likelihood that any one individual can be an expert on all task components” (p. 49). Specifically, complex tasks may require multiple exchange relationships among team members (Seers, Keller, & Wilkerson, 2003: 93). Wood (1986) described task complexity as the relationships between task inputs as an important determinant of human performance as these relationships create demands on the knowledge, skills, and resources of team members. Specifically, task complexity varies as a function of three underlying factors: (a) component complexity (i.e., the number of distinct acts and information cues needed to be attended to while performing the task), (b) coordinative complexity (i.e., the strength of relationships among various task inputs and task outputs), and (c) dynamic complexity (i.e., the stability of task requirements over time). Kerr and Jermier (1978) suggested that as task complexity increases, the need for leadership also increases; that is, extremely routine tasks reduce the need for leadership. Additionally, as tasks increase in complexity, the likelihood that all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to complete the task reside in a single person is small (Bligh, Pearce, & Kohles, 2006; Pearce & Manz, 2005). Cox, Pearce, and Perry (2003) suggested that as task complexity increases, teams should look toward leadership structures other than the traditional hierarchy to aid in successful task completion. Accordingly, as task complexity increases, the benefits of shared leadership become more apparent.