The mediating effect of teamwork on the relationship between strategic orientation and performance of Nigerian banks

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the mediating effect of teamwork on the relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a descriptive research design. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 253 bank managers representing 20 commercial banks in Nigeria. The author used SmartPLS-SEM to analyze the data collected. Findings The results of the structural models showed a significantly positive relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance on the one hand and between strategic orientation and teamwork on the other. It was also found that teamwork had a significantly positive link with organizational performance. Further analysis revealed that teamwork fully mediated the relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on the Nigerian banking sector. Thus, it limits the generalizability of its findings to other sectors not covered. Future researchers could extend the study to other sectors to corroborate the findings presented. Practical implications The findings of this study provide some practical implications for business organizations and managers. Business organizations must be strategically positioned so that they can compete in today’s highly dynamic and competitive business environment and achieve superior performance. Likewise, business managers should make sure that all employees and sections in their organizations work cooperatively as a team by creating a collaborative climate where team spirit and teamwork thrive. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence of the mediating effect of teamwork on the relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance. In that regard, it makes a valuable contribution to the field of strategic management and enhances the applicability and the generalizability of contingency and resource-based view theories across different environmental settings.