Diversity Composition and Team Learning: The Moderating Role of Error Culture

Abstract

Although there are many potential benefits to diverse teams, the way in which diversity characteristics are aligned in teams may influence whether teams exploit this potential. In this experimental study, we examined the relationship between diversity composition and the process and outcome of team learning by comparing faultline teams (in which diversity characteristics are aligned) with teams in which diversity characteristics cross-categorize each other. We investigated whether this relationship would be influenced by the teams' beliefs regarding error handling (i.e., error culture). We assigned 268 participants to 67 four-person groups with faultline or cross-categorized compositions. We hypothesized and found that the relationship between diversity composition and team learning was moderated by error culture, only in faultline teams, not in cross-categorized teams. An error management culture (i.e., a culture in which members value the open discussion of errors) was found to promote inclusive communication and the team learning process in faultline teams. In contrast, an error prevention culture (i.e., a culture in which members believe that errors are harmful and must be prevented) decreased inclusive communication and the processes of team learning in faultline teams. Contrary to our expectations, we found a reversed effect for the outcome of team learning. In line with our prediction, cross-categorized teams were unaffected by error culture.

Multi-Level Effects of Humble Leadership on Employees’ Work Well-Being: The Roles of Psychological Safety and Error Management Climate

“…If a team has a high level of EMC, then team members consider errors as a common phenomenon ( Keith and Frese, 2005 ). EMC emphasizes employees’ learning, communication, and development as a result of errors ( Maurer et al, 2017 ), and encourages members to voice their views, discuss mistakes openly, and learn from their errors ( Rupert et al, 2019 ). Therefore, team members do not fear being blamed for making mistakes.…”

Effect Mechanism of Error Management Climate on Innovation Behavior: An Investigation From Chinese Entrepreneurs

“…Literature on innovations implies that errors can be part of developing innovation and bringing it to the market ( Hsu et al, 2015 ). Increasing corporations take errors as part of climate management, and how they perceive errors will affect reaction to errors ( Rupert et al, 2019 ).…”

Dynamics of Team Learning Behaviours: The Effect of Time and Team Culture

“…In the last years, the identification of the conditions that foster team learning has received increasing interest from the scientific community [ 10 , 12 , 14 , 16 , 17 ]. Among these conditions, team culture, i.e., team members’ beliefs about “the way things are done” in the team [ 18 ] has been identified as a potential factor to be considered in understanding team learning [ 19 , 20 ]. In fact, teams are integrated into an organizational context, and the team itself provides an environment to its members [ 21 ].…”

“…However, most of the current studies that have focused on this issue are cross-sectional [ 19 , 20 ] and do not provide any information about changes in learning behaviours over time. Because teams are embedded within a temporal context (e.g., a deadline to carry out a task in project teams), time is a fundamental component of teams’ relevant context [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Previous research has shown that team culture has a significant relationship with team functioning and team outcomes (e.g., [ 40 , 41 ]); however, little is known about the link between culture and learning at the team level [ 19 , 20 ], despite the fact that this relationship has already been the subject of several studies at an organizational level. Research findings highlight that some cultural characteristics can be facilitators of or hindrances to learning [ 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”