When upper echelons meet team mental models: TMT socialization and firm innovation

Thuy-Dzung T. Pham, Fang-Yi Lo and Kun-Huang Huarng

European Journal of Innovation Management, 2026, 1-19

Abstract: PurposeDespite extensive research on top management team (TMT) characteristics, limited attention has been devoted to understanding how TMT socialization influences firm innovation. This study examines the relationship between TMT socialization and firm innovation and investigates the moderating effects of cultural distance and gender diversity on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachIntegrating upper echelons theory (UET) and team mental model (TMM) theory, this study develops and tests three hypotheses using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Data were collected from 245 publicly listed information technology firms in the United States, comprising 2,362 TMT members, sourced from the OSIRIS database.FindingsThe results reveal that TMT socialization, operationalized as overlapping tenure among executives, is positively associated with firm innovation investment. Cultural distance strengthens this positive relationship: socialization is unrelated to innovation investment when TMT members share similar cultural backgrounds and positively related when cultural distance is high. However, gender diversity does not moderate the socialization and innovation relationship, although it demonstrates a significant positive direct association with innovation investment.Originality/valueThis study contributes to UET by integrating TMM theory to explain the mechanisms through which TMT socialization influences firm innovation. By showing that overlapping tenure is associated with greater innovation investment, consistent with the development of shared mental models and network relationships, this research advances a more process-oriented understanding of TMT effectiveness. The finding that the benefits of socialization are concentrated among culturally diverse TMTs extends prior research on TMT diversity by revealing interactive rather than merely additive effects. Practical implications for executives and boards regarding TMT composition and stability are discussed.

Keywords: TMT socialization; Firm innovation; Cultural distance; Gender diversity; Upper echelons theory; Team mental model theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ejimpp:ejim-06-2026-0742

DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-06-2026-0742

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