Diversity, Tasks, and Structure in Teams

Abstract

Diversity in teams reflects a variety of demographic, cultural, experiential, and personal differences that individual members possess, which in turn influences team processes and outcomes. Additionally, the effects of team diversity on teamwork are largely contingent upon various factors, both internal and external to teams. Of the myriad of factors potentially affecting the efficacy of team diversity in teamwork, two types of task structure—task complexity and task interdependence—are discussed in this entry, as they have been found to significantly moderate the relationship between team diversity and team performance.

Collective knowledge construction: a socio-cognitive approach

“…These findings diverge from previous research in which no indirect relationship was found between the constructs and CK (Kimmerle et al , 2015). For instance, Horwitz (2015) reported that task structure leads to a demand-driven exchange of knowledge and expertise, which then directly influences CK. Moreover, past research has proposed that collaboration motivates individuals to ask questions, explain their insights and exchange knowledge, which might all directly simulate CK formation (Cress and Kimmerle, 2017).…”