Development and test of a model of interdisciplinary competencies. Issue 2 (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Claus, Anna M.; Wiese, Bettina S.
• Is Part Of: European journal of work and organizational psychology. Volume 28:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: Interdisciplinary competencies -- critical incident technique -- exploratory structural equation modelling -- mixed-method -- validation; Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; Personnel management -- Europe -- Periodicals; Work -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; Work -- psychology -- Periodicals; 158.7
• DOI: 10.1080/1359432X.2019.1567491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-432X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Interdisciplinary work offers both innovative potential and challenges in collaboration. The present paper summarizes three studies intended to foster a psychological, competency-focused understanding of interdisciplinary work. In a qualitative interview study (Study 1) with expert practitioners of interdisciplinarity, we used the critical incident technique to explore which individual competencies support interdisciplinary collaborations and improve innovative outcomes. Focusing on competencies specific to interdisciplinarity, we derived a four-dimensional model. In Study 2, we tested the model dimensions (1) initiative for exchange, (2) target group-specific communication, (3) knowledge integration, and (4) reflection in a quantitative survey study among N = 315 employees who were experienced in interdisciplinary work using exploratory structural equation modelling. Finally, in Study 3, we studied the convergent and divergent validity of interdisciplinary competencies as well as their role in predicting team outcomes. Here, a dyadic sample of N = 448 target persons and N = 153 interdisciplinary colleagues were surveyed. We discuss possible applications for the new model of interdisciplinary competencies and the developed self-report instrument.