What can be a consequence of social loafing in a team?

Social loafing refers to the phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to when they are working alone. This can lead to a decrease in overall commitment from team members, as some may rely on others to carry the workload. As a result, the collective effort and productivity of the team diminish significantly.

When some members of the team do not pull their weight, it can create an imbalance that affects team dynamics, lowers motivation among more engaged members, and ultimately results in subpar outcomes. This reduced effort can be detrimental not only to the specific project but also to long-term team cohesion and morale. Therefore, a key consequence of social loafing is indeed reduced team productivity and effort, which can hinder the team's ability to meet goals and achieve success.