Transactive memory and performance in work groups: Specificity, communication, ability differences, and work allocation.

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of specificity, communication, ability differences, and work allocation, on the utilization of transactive memory in work groups. Clerical staff members (N ϭ 36) worked individually and then with a coworker to complete a quiz covering six domains of work-related knowledge and to allocate domains of knowledge or specific quiz items in a manner that maximized group performance. Allocations were made first individually and then collaboratively. Results indicated that transactive memory facilitated group performance. Specificity (item allocations vs. domain allocations) led to more effective utilization of member knowledge, but communication did not. Group performance was higher when members differed in ability and when they allocated more work to the more proficient member.

Transactive Memory Systems 1985–2010: An Integrative Framework of Key Dimensions, Antecedents, and Consequences

“…Specific information about members' expertise needs to be provided for members to take notice and leverage the information. In addition to increased expertise recognition, another advantage of providing specific information about members' expertise is enabling the allocation of tasks to match member expertise (Littlepage et al, 2008). We thus expect such knowledge to affect not only the structure of TMS, but also transactive processes such as knowledge retrieval and task coordination.…”

“…Rau (2005) found that awareness of expertise location positively influenced top management team performance measured as return on average assets of banks. Other studies have linked transactive memory systems to performance assessed as new product success, speed to market (Akgun et al, 2005), decision quality (Littlepage et al, 2008), and customer service quality (Peltokorpi, 2004).…”

“…There was no chance for members to engage in face-toface communication and members were expected to communicate only via the Internet. Consequently, members relied solely upon computer-mediated To understand the role of communication in transactive memory, it is also important to examine communication in the utilization of transactive memory (Littlepage, Hollingshead, Drake, & Littlepage, 2008). Research on the role of communication in the utilization of shared knowledge is not entirely consistent.…”

Communication in Theory and Research on Transactive Memory Systems: A Literature Review

“…To understand the influence of communication on TMS more fully, Littlepage et al. () argued that it is important to make a distinction between TMS development and utilization. While communication between group members plays an important part in TMS development, Littlepage et al.…”

“…In social media, TMS coordination, credibility, and specialization are further found to mediate the positive relationship between formal communication and travel information sharing (Chung et al, 2015); TMS credibility and coordination mediated the positive relationship between informal communication through social media and travel information sharing. To understand the influence of communication on TMS more fully, Littlepage et al (2008) argued that it is important to make a distinction between TMS development and utilization. While communication between group members plays an important part in TMS development, Littlepage et al argued that its impact is not as critical in utilization of an existing TMS.…”