Team learning behaviours and innovative work behaviour in work teams

Andreas Widmann and Regina H. Mulder

European Journal of Innovation Management, 2018, vol. 21, issue 3, 501-520

Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to get deeper insight into the complex nature of the relationship between team learning conditions, team learning behaviours (TLBs) and innovative work behaviour (IWB) by considering and combining different neglected aspects in research. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire was filled out by 593 vocational educators of 117 interdisciplinary work teams in vocational colleges in Germany. Correlations were calculated and structural equation modelling at two levels was conducted. Findings - The results indicate that TLBs, especially team reflexivity and boundary spanning, relate positively to IWB. Furthermore, team structure, task interdependence and group potency relate positively to TLBs. It means that TLBs can be fostered by establishing these team learning conditions and, thus, IWB can be fostered. Research limitations/implications - The main limitation of the study is that the data collection was cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies are required to capture the dynamic character of team learning and to identify causal relationships. Practical implications - It is important to make all employees in vocational education aware of the importance of TLBs especially of team reflexivity and boundary spanning. Originality/value - This study provides practical implications for organisations to foster IWB and indications for a better understanding of the relationship between team learning conditions, TLBs and IWB considering and combining different neglected aspects such as examining TLBs separated in one study.

Keywords: Team learning; Task interdependence; Innovative work behaviour; Vocational education; Interdisciplinary work teams; Team reflexivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ejimpp:ejim-12-2017-0194

DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-12-2017-0194

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