It is not what we have, but how we use it: Reexploring the relationship between task conflict and team innovation from the resource-based view. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Xiao-Yun; Wang, Wei-Liang; Luan, Kun
• Is Part Of: Group processes and intergroup relations. Volume 17:Number 2(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 240
• Page End: 251
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: knowledge integration capability -- resource-based view -- task conflict -- team innovation; Intergroup relations -- Periodicals; Social groups -- Periodicals; 302.305
• DOI: 10.1177/1368430213502559
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4302

Abstract

Over several decades, studies of the relationship between task conflict and team innovation have yielded mixed findings. In the present study, drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), we consider that task conflict can activate a dynamic pool of knowledge resources and argue that the impact of task conflict on team innovation is dependent upon the knowledge integration capacity of a team, which is defined as a team's ability to effectively combine, capitalize, and utilize the resource pool. A study of 59 teams revealed that, in general, task conflict and team innovation exhibit an inverted U-shape relationship, which was moderated by knowledge integration capability. The implications of our findings with respect to conflict research and conflict management are discussed.