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The curvilinear relationship between team familiarity and team innovation: A secondary data analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2018

Xiao-Yun Xie ,
Hao Ji ,
Kun Luan  and
Ying-Zhen Zhao
Xiao-Yun Xie
Affiliation:
School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Hao Ji
Affiliation:
School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Kun Luan*
Affiliation:
School of Economics and Management, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, Shandong, China
Ying-Zhen Zhao
Affiliation:
Health Management School, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
*
Corresponding author: luankun@zju.edu.cn
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Abstract

Paradoxical arguments and mixed empirical evidence coexist in the current literature concerning the relationship between team familiarity and team innovation. To resolve this contradiction, we apply habitual routines theory to propose that team familiarity and team innovation have an inverted U-shaped relationship. Using a data set of 68,933 R&D teams in the electrical engineering industry, our results support a nonlinear relationship between team familiarity and team innovation, and suggest that the best innovative performance is produced by moderately familiar teams. Furthermore, we find that external learning can moderate this curvilinear relationship. Theoretical contributions and future implications are discussed.

Keywords

team familiarityteam innovationexternal learningR&D teamselectrical engineering industry
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 26 , Issue 5 , September 2020 , pp. 700 - 718
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2018

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