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Knowledge complexity and team information processing: the mediating role of team learning goal orientation

Chenggang Duan (School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China)
Xinmei Liu (School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China)
Xiaomei Yang (School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China)
Cheng Deng (School of Economics and Management, Xidian University, Xi’an, China)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 20 July 2022

Issue publication date: 5 May 2023

626

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on job demands and resources theory and the challenge-hindrance stressor framework, this study aims to investigate the effect of team knowledge complexity on team information sharing and information searching and examine whether team learning goal orientation mediates these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two studies. Study 1 used a field survey study conducted among 374 employees positioned in 68 new product teams. Study 2 used a three-wave online survey study conducted among 208 leaders to investigate the teams they managed.

Findings

The findings of the two studies reveal that team knowledge complexity has a positive direct effect on team information sharing and information searching. Furthermore, team learning goal orientation mediates these two relationships.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that team knowledge complexity is generally beneficial for the team information process. Therefore, instead of fearing an increase in the knowledge complexity of the projects, organizations should dare to present challenge demands to team members to enhance their engagement in information processing. Organizations could also pay attention to team member selection during team composition processes. For example, selecting team members with a high level of learning goal orientation is helpful in facilitating team information processing.

Originality/value

Although previous studies have found that knowledge complexity is beneficial for team output, less is known about how knowledge complexity influences team processes. This study clarifies the relationships between team knowledge complexity, information sharing and information searching and examines team learning goal orientation as a vital mediator.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are very thankful to the editor and the reviewers for such constructive reviews and suggestions.Funding: This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation Project of China (71572140).

Citation

Duan, C., Liu, X., Yang, X. and Deng, C. (2023), "Knowledge complexity and team information processing: the mediating role of team learning goal orientation", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 1279-1298. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-11-2021-0858

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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