Shared mental models as moderators of team process-performance relationships

Abstract

The effects of shared mental models on the relationship between episodic team behavioral processes and performance were investigated, while teams were using an experimentally stimulated construction project planning program. The results indicated that episodic team processes made positive contributions to the team performance. Furthermore, a hierarchical linear regression indicated that the convergence of shared teamwork mental models moderated the effects of team processes on team performance. Specifically, the positive impact of team processes on performance was found to be improved for those teams who shared more similar teamwork mental models than for teams who hold fewer similar teamwork mental models. Potential implications and relevant impacts on future research are discussed.