Cognitive diversity, creativity and team effectiveness: the mediations of inclusion and knowledge sharing

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to determine how cognitive diversity at the workplace influences team creativity. In this regard, the authors examined knowledge sharing and team-focused inclusion through which team members’ cognitive diversity was expected to elevate their positive work outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative method is used to accumulate the data. The authors surveyed workers and their respective managers at a single China-based food company. The supervisors rated the outcome variables (creativity and team effectiveness) regarding their employees, whereas employees were asked to rate the cognitive diversity, inclusion and knowledge sharing within the workgroup. The final valid sample size (n = 391) consisted of 137 workgroups with an adequate response rate (62.3%). Findings Cognitive diversity is related to team effectiveness but not creativity. The research found that cognitive diversity can increase creativity only through enhanced inclusion and knowledge sharing. Inclusion, likewise, explained the impact of cognitive diversity on effectiveness. Originality/value The originality of the current research lies in its contemporary exploration of inclusion and cognitive diversity and their pathways to team creativity and effectiveness. The social capital theory was applied to explain the proposed relationships.

Cognitive and Neurodiversity in Groups: A Systemic and Integrative Review

“…In group performance studies that examined cognitive diversity as an independent variable, Dong et al (2021) found that academic performance in research teams is fostered by cognitive diversity, while Liao and Long (2016) showed that group performance increases with high alertness (as a combination of information accumulation, transformation, and selection) arising from high cognitive diversity. Cognitive diversity positively affects group effectiveness through group learning, and an inclusive climate in terms of group discussion and decision processes (Chow, 2018; Mathuki & Zhang, 2022). Similarly, group cohesion mediates the effect of cognitive diversity and strategic planning on performance (Nowak, 2021).…”

“…Kurtzberg (2005) found that cognitive diversity could benefit creative performance but reduce positive affect, satisfaction, and group members’ feelings about their creative endeavor. The positive association between cognitive diversity and group creativity was mediated by group learning (Chow, 2018), knowledge sharing (Mathuki & Zhang, 2022), and (task-relevant) information elaboration (Kim et al, 2021; Qi et al, 2022). Aggarwal and Woolley (2019) found that the impact of cognitive style diversity on creativity is explained by a transactive memory system (i.e., “a repository that emerges within a team to collectively encode, store, retrieve, and communicate information or knowledge in different domains,” p. 3).…”

“…Further, X. H. Wang et al (2016) and Kim et al (2021) examined group intrinsic motivation as a mediator in the relationship between cognitive diversity and creativity, whereas Chow (2018) and Mathuki and Zhang (2022) examined the inclusion of workers in discussions and decision-making as a mediator.…”

“…found that the impact of cognitive style diversity on creativity is explained by a transactive memory system (i.e., "a repository that emerges within a team to collectively encode, store, retrieve, and communicate information or knowledge in different domains," p. 3). Further, X. H. Wang et al (2016) and Kim et al (2021) examined group intrinsic motivation as a mediator in the relationship between cognitive diversity and creativity, whereas Chow (2018) and Mathuki and Zhang (2022) examined the inclusion of workers in discussions and decision-making as a mediator.…”

“…Diversity is the cornerstone of creative performance in complex tasks (Mathuki & Zhang, 2022; Qi et al, 2022), and a substantial amount of research has explored the relation of various group composition features with group outcomes. The “optimistic” outlook on group diversity emphasizes information elaboration (Van Knippenberg et al, 2004) as the key mechanism that explains its beneficial role in group dynamics and effectiveness.…”