Examining the relationships among cognitive diversity, knowledge sharing and team climate in team innovation

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of knowledge sharing as a mediating variable on the effect of cognitive diversity on team innovation. Additionally, the study also tests the role of a moderating variable team climate on the relationship between cognitive diversity and knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach The study used an explanatory approach to test the hypothesis. A survey with structured questionnaires was distributed to 39 creative teams between radio and television broadcasting institutions in the Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Findings The current study shows cognitive diversity has a significant association with knowledge sharing, and knowledge sharing positively associated with team innovation. The findings of this study indicate that team climate moderates the relationship between cognitive diversity and knowledge sharing. Additionally, knowledge sharing is found not to be a significant mediation on the relationship between cognitive diversity and team innovation. Research limitations/implications The study promises to examine how diverse teams work particularly in the context of creative teams in radio and television broadcasting institutions. However, this study only focuses on relationships; it does not examine the processes underlying those relationships. This study implies for future research agenda focusing on the mechanism affecting the relationships. Additionally, examining the relationship model in the context of a less-creative team such as banking industry could also a call for future research. Practical implications The results of the study contribute to managerial implications which suggest that to enhance team innovation, a team leader must design a comfortable working climate that stimulates productive knowledge sharing. Originality/value The study provides a comprehensive understanding of knowledge sharing and team climate on the relationship between cognitive diversity and team innovation, which are missing in previous empirical studies. Then, the study is relevant because of inconclusive findings from past studies examining the relationship between cognitive diversity and team innovation.