Social loafing

This review article elucidates the structure and critiques the effects of social loafing in the team sport of volleyball. Drawing upon existing theories, opinions, and research, this review addresses the conceptual framework and factors influencing individual and group behaviors in sports environments, particularly volleyball. These factors include team cohesion, leadership styles, communication, interdependent tasks, and individual motivation. An examination of the research methodologies and article formulations, as well as meta-analyses in academic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO, indicates that the predominant approach in studies on this phenomenon is deductive, with survey strategies employed through observational studies and interviews with players and coaches using questionnaires. The findings of this review, on one hand, present and analyze theories and models explaining social loafing behaviors in sports environments and teams, including the processes and dimensions of the emergence (and growth) of social loafing and its impact on individual aspects and team performance in volleyball. On the other hand, it highlights key points and related solutions for future research directions in volleyball, including strategies and interventions (by coaches and team leadership) aimed at reducing social loafing, enhancing cohesion, and improving group dynamics in volleyball teams, ultimately leading to improved team performance.