'Optimal conditions for group-dynamic challenges': The results of mock-up research on group-dynamics during the January 2014 Juuka Finland ‘Ice Dome’ building by university students initiated by the Eindhoven Technical University

Society counts a growing number of group-dynamic challenges like civilian movements, resident initia-tive, self steering teams on the work floor and innovation team challenges. The basis driving force is governments that draw back, increasing competition in business and empowerment of people. Exam-ples are the Juuka regional economic development and the Dutch sustainable city-developments as they depend on peoples’ initiatives. For the prosperity of such initiatives a mock-up research is done on an Ice-building in Juuka, Finland (FL) project. The conclusions are: ‘Making results’ and ‘leaders to follow’ are more important motivators for the participants than fun-making and problem-solving. Front-runners inspire participants inside the initiative group. During the running time the ideal front-runner changes from locals and support people in general towards leading personalities being notable and leader type locals and participants. For such group-dynamic challenges the advice is: set clear notable targets and connect leader-type front-runners to the project, for extra motivation of the par-ticipants: built on ‘social togetherness’ (instead of social cohesion) for achieving results.