Affective diversity and emotional intelligence in cross-functional sourcing teams. Issue 1 (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaufmann, Lutz; Wagner, Claudia M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of purchasing and supply management. Volume 23:Issue 1(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Diversity -- Cross-functional team -- Emotional intelligence -- Team cohesion -- Supplier selection; Industrial procurement -- Europe -- Management -- Periodicals; Purchasing -- Europe -- Periodicals; Purchasing -- Europe -- Management -- Periodicals; Materials management -- Europe -- Periodicals; Industrial procurement -- Management; Materials management; Purchasing; Purchasing -- Management; Europe; Periodicals; 658.7205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pursup.2016.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-4092

Abstract

Abstract: In cross-functional sourcing teams, differences in goals and personality traits can lead to tensions and reduced effectiveness. Diversity in teams can be conceptualized as surface-level diversity (e.g., gender, nationality) or as deep-level diversity (e.g., personality, attitudes). This study investigates the potentially negative effects of one category of deep-level diversity – namely, affective trait diversity – on sourcing team performance and how such negative effects might be mitigated through team members' emotional intelligence. The study analyzes a sample of 88 sourcing teams (234 team members) using moderated regression analyses. Sourcing team cohesion is found to fully mediate the relationship between affective diversity and team performance, while the collective emotional intelligence of the sourcing team positively moderates the diversity-cohesion relationship (moderated mediation). Thus, this study provides insights into both the mechanics of team diversity and the critical role of collective emotional intelligence in sourcing teams and thereby enables supply managers to better understand cross-functional team setups and effectiveness. Highlights: Diversity in personalities can be a liability for cross-functional sourcing teams. Heterogeneity in sourcing team members' longer term feelings related to a supplier selection process has a negative effect on team performance. Highly emotionally intelligent sourcing team members can, however, mitigate these negative effects. Managers should account for deep-level diversity when assembling sourcing teams.