Why is Your Team More Creative Than Mine? The Influence of Shared Mental Models on Intra‐group Conflict, Team Creativity and Effectiveness. (21st August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Catarina Marques; Uitdewilligen, Sjir; Passos, Ana Margarida
• Is Part Of: Creativity and innovation management. Volume 24:Number 4(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 645
• Page End: 658
• Publication Date: 2015-08-21
• Subjects: Creative ability in business -- Periodicals; Organizational change -- Periodicals; 658.57; 658
• DOI: 10.1111/caim.12129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-1690

Abstract

Abstract : In competitive and dynamic contexts team members need to be creative to ensure that teams achieve high levels of performance and feel satisfied with their work. At the same time, team members need to have a shared understanding regarding relevant aspects related to task accomplishment and team interaction. In this study we investigate the mediating mechanisms of intra‐group conflict and creativity in the relationship between shared mental models and team effectiveness (team performance and satisfaction). We tested our model in a sample of 161 teams (735 individuals) performing in a management simulation. We collected data at three time points. Our results suggest that high shared mental models are related to low levels of intra‐group conflict, foster creativity, and in turn improve team performance and satisfaction. These findings contribute to a scarce thematic – the relationship between shared mental models and creativity – emphasizing the importance of a shared understanding for creativity and team effectiveness.