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When and how knowledge sharing benefits team creativity: The importance of cognitive team diversity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2017

Chenghao Men ,
Patrick S W Fong ,
Jinlian Luo ,
Jing Zhong  and
Weiwei Huo
Chenghao Men
Affiliation:
School of Economics and Management, Tongji Universtiy, Shanghai, China Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Patrick S W Fong
Affiliation:
Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Jinlian Luo*
Affiliation:
School of Economics and Management, Tongji Universtiy, Shanghai, China
Jing Zhong
Affiliation:
School of Economics and Management, Tongji Universtiy, Shanghai, China
Weiwei Huo
Affiliation:
SHU-UTS SILC Business School, Shanghai University
*
Corresponding author: luojl@tjhrd.com
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Abstract

In this paper, we explored the role of knowledge sharing on team creativity through absorptive capacity and knowledge integration, and tested the condition under which knowledge sharing is positively related to absorptive capacity and knowledge integration. We tested our hypotheses with a sample of 86 knowledge worker teams involving 381 employees and employers in China. Results demonstrate that knowledge sharing was positively related to team creativity, fully mediated by both absorptive capacity and knowledge integration. In addition, cognitive team diversity played a moderating role in the relationship between knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity, as well as in the relationship between knowledge sharing and knowledge integration. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings on knowledge management and team creativity are discussed.

Keywords

knowledge sharingabsorptive capacityknowledge integrationteam creativitycognitive team diversity
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 25 , Issue 6 , November 2019 , pp. 807 - 824
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2017 

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