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Dissertation
The effects of surface-level and deep-level team faultline strength on information elaboration and effectiveness: examining the moderating role of leader sensemaking and team prosocial motivation and the mediating role of transactive memory systems
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Nov 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6589
Abstract
Faultlines emerge in teams when demographic and psychological attributes among members align and create subgroups. Faultlines based on demographic characteristics such as gender and race have been shown to negatively impact information elaboration (Homan, van Knippenberg, Van Kleef, & De Dreu, 2007a), performance (Bezrukova, Jehn, Zanutto, & Thatcher, 2009), and general team relationships (Thatcher & Patel, 2011). An emerging stream of research indicates that deep-level differences among teammates in terms of personality, attitudes, and values can also create faultlines that disrupt team functioning (Molleman, 2005). Drawing on the categorization-elaboration model (van Knippenberg, De Dreu, & Homan, 2004), this study seeks to extend the understanding of faultlines' effect on team information elaboration and performance. Specifically, I propose that faultline strength impedes team information elaboration and performance by detracting from the formation of transactive memory systems (TMS). Additionally, I propose that team leader sensemaking/sensegiving and team prosocial motivation are bridging mechanisms that mitigate the negative impact of faultline strength on TMS, information elaboration, and in turn team performance. I test my hypotheses on a sample of 94 5-person teams (N = 470) who performed a team simulation. Results did not reveal significant relationships among faultline strength (composed of surface- and deep-level differences), TMS, and information elaboration. Additionally, leader sensemaking/sensegiving and team prosocial motivation did not moderate the proposed direct or indirect relationships with faultline strength. Information elaboration was found to have a positive relationship with team performance. Supplementary analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between surface-level faultline strength (composed of sex and nationality) and TMS. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- The effects of surface-level and deep-level team faultline strength on information elaboration and effectiveness
- Creators
- Quinn Wilson Cunningham - DU
- Contributors
- Christian Resick (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 181 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; General Business; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6589; 991014632670904721