Why the IKEA effect is the secret to let your team fall in love with meetings.

Menno Jansen en Yuri Bobbert | August 4, 2023

Meetings are an integral part of business culture, providing a platform for collaboration, decision-making, and progress. However, they can also be perceived as tedious, unproductive, and disengaging. In recent years, psychologists have identified a fascinating phenomenon known as the 'IKEA Effect' that sheds light on how people's attachment to their own creations can positively influence their engagement and productivity. This effect, derived from the popular Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA, has implications for meetings and can be harnessed to enhance teamwork, motivation, and creativity.

Understanding the IKEA Effect:
The IKEA Effect, coined by researchers Michael Norton, Daniel Mochon, and Dan Ariely, refers to the psychological tendency for people to place a higher value on products or outcomes they have actively contributed to creating. The assembly of IKEA furniture serves as a prime example of this effect, as customers invest their time, effort, and skill in constructing their own furniture, resulting in increased satisfaction and attachment to the final product.

Applying the IKEA Effect in Meetings:- Collaborative Decision-Making: When participants actively contribute to decision-making processes during meetings, they experience a sense of ownership and pride in the outcomes. Encouraging diverse perspectives and involving individuals in shaping solutions can foster greater commitment, as participants feel their ideas are valued and incorporated. This not only enhances the quality of decisions but also fosters a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

- Shared Goal Setting: Incorporating the IKEA Effect into meetings involves involving participants in setting goals and targets. When individuals actively participate in defining objectives, they feel a stronger sense of responsibility and are more motivated to achieve them. This shared ownership of goals fosters a collective commitment, leading to increased engagement and accountability among team members.

- Hands-On Participation: Meetings that involve interactive activities, such as brainstorming, problem-solving exercises, or group projects, enable participants to actively contribute and shape the outcomes. By allowing individuals to engage in hands-on tasks, they develop a stronger connection to the meeting's purpose and outcomes. This connection not only increases their investment in the process but also enhances their creativity and problem-solving abilities.

- Feedback and Iteration: Just as the process of assembling IKEA furniture often involves trial and error, meetings that embrace an iterative approach can tap into the IKEA Effect. Encouraging participants to provide feedback, iterate on ideas, and refine solutions collectively can strengthen their sense of ownership. This iterative process facilitates continuous improvement and adaptation, leading to better outcomes and a stronger sense of accomplishment.

- Celebrating Achievements: Similar to the satisfaction experienced upon completing an IKEA furniture project, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate achievements resulting from successful meetings. Recognizing and rewarding individual and collective efforts can reinforce the sense of ownership and pride among team members. This positive reinforcement fuels motivation, encourages future engagement, and strengthens the overall team dynamic.

Leveraging Group Support Systems to Enhance the IKEA Effect in MeetingsGSS technology provides a platform for participants to actively contribute, collaborate, and build upon each other's ideas in real-time. By leveraging GSS tools, meetings can become more inclusive, participatory, and productive. Here's how GSS can amplify the IKEA Effect:

- Enhanced Collaboration: GSS tools enable simultaneous input from multiple participants, allowing everyone to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and perspectives. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among team members, resulting in more effective collaboration and collective decision-making.

- Increased Accessibility: GSS technology ensures that all participants have equal access to meeting materials, discussions, and decision-making processes. This accessibility eliminates disparities in participation, empowering individuals to actively contribute and feel a sense of ownership over the meeting outcomes.

- Facilitated Idea Development: GSS tools provide a structured environment for idea generation and development. Participants can collectively build upon each other's ideas, iterate on solutions, and refine concepts. This iterative process, supported by GSS, strengthens the IKEA Effect by allowing individuals to witness the evolution of their contributions and fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.

- Efficient Documentation and Evaluation: GSS technology enables real-time documentation of meeting discussions, decisions, and action items. This feature ensures that participants' contributions are recorded and valued, reinforcing their sense of ownership. Additionally, the ability to review and evaluate meeting outcomes in the future helps sustain the IKEA Effect, as individuals can reflect on their input and its impact.

- Remote Collaboration: With the increasing prevalence of remote work, GSS technology becomes particularly valuable in supporting virtual meetings. It enables seamless collaboration and engagement, regardless of participants' physical locations. By providing a virtual environment that fosters active involvement and ownership, GSS helps mitigate the challenges of remote work and enhances the effectiveness of virtual meetings.

By understanding and leveraging the IKEA Effect in meetings, organizations can foster a culture of active participation, collaboration, and innovation. Incorporating elements that allow individuals to contribute, collaborate, and take ownership of meeting outcomes can enhance engagement, satisfaction, and overall productivity. By embracing this phenomenon, organizations can transform meetings into dynamic spaces where ideas flourish, decisions are impactful, and participants feel a deep sense of connection to the collective progress and success of the team.

In conclusion, leveraging Group Support Systems in meetings complements the IKEA Effect by providing a collaborative platform that empowers participants to actively contribute, collaborate, and take ownership of the meeting process and outcomes. By embracing GSS technology, organizations can transform their meetings into dynamic spaces where the IKEA Effect thrives, driving innovation, teamwork, and collective success.