Examining teamwork competencies and team performance in experiential entrepreneurship education: emergent intragroup conflict as a learning triggering event

Abstract

PurposeAlthough the importance of teamwork competencies and effective conflict management in entrepreneurship education is recognised, we have limited knowledge of how these factors interact to influence performance in entrepreneurial teams. This research explores teamwork competencies as a predictor of entrepreneurial team performance and the moderating effect of emerging cognitive and interpersonal team conflict as levers in entrepreneurship learning.Design/methodology/approachA time-lagged survey method was used to collect data from 49 teams (156 individuals) of undergraduate students in an experiential new venture creation course. A predictive model of entrepreneurial team performance through hierarchical regression analyses and moderated-moderation analyses was tested.FindingsResults reveal that teamwork competencies have a significant and direct influence on entrepreneurial team performance and that intragroup conflict strengthens that relationship when high levels of cognitive conflict and low levels of interpersonal conflict emerge.Practical implicationsThe findings have implications for the design of entrepreneurial training programs, which will benefit from interventions aimed at teamwork competency development that incorporate strategies promoting constructive cognitive conflict while preventing the emergence of interpersonal conflict.Originality/valueThis study is a step forward in entrepreneurship education research from the perspective of social and interpersonal processes by identifying the patterns of intra-team conflict that lead to more effective entrepreneurial teams and more productive use of teamwork competencies in a learning-by-doing entrepreneurial context.

Fall seven times, stand up eight: the neuropsychological and managerial configurations of resilience Configurations of resilience

“…They need to be aware of collaboration importance and the multiple team goals and constraints simultaneously, which would require a combination of both characteristics – teamwork and attention – to succeed. Consistent with the findings of Pazos et al (2022), teamwork competencies have a direct and significant impact on entrepreneurial team performance. In this sense, Jankelová et al (2021) mentioned that in the context of volatile and uncertain circumstances due to hard economic conditions, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, teamwork attributes such as sharing ideas and information with team members has been found as a predictor of business success.…”

Team Formation Strategies Among Prospective Entrepreneurs – Evidence From a Large-Scale Survey Experiment

“…Especially considering that team formation skills can be taught through exercises (Morland et al, 2021). Furthermore, given the extent of EE programs with experiential and team-oriented elements (Mandel & Noyes, 2016), entrepreneurship educators could readily seek to implement successful team formation exercises in their teaching (e.g., Arpiainen & Kurczewska, 2017; Pazos et al, 2022; Pearlstein, 2020; 2021).…”

“…Teamwork competencies are essential in the venture-creation process’s early stage (Harms, 2015; Knipfer et al, 2018). Thus, training in teamwork competencies should be a core part of EE (Lackéus, 2020; Neck & Greene, 2011; Pazos et al, 2022). This study finds that EE moderates the team formation strategy-attraction relationship differently, contingent on strategy.…”

“…While all business students stand to gain some insights about venturing vis-à-vis their business education (Johannisson, 2016), most EE programs provide its students with specific training in team formation, opportunity recognition and -evaluation (Neck & Greene, 2011; Pazos et al, 2022). Accurately recognizing and evaluating business opportunities and entrepreneurial teams are central traits in taking entrepreneurial action (Healey et al, 2021).…”

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“…In our study, we examined the co-occurrence of competencies, but not the interactions between team members. According to Pazos et al (2022) interactions in entrepreneurial teams, namely interpersonal and cognitive conflicts moderate the relationship between individual competencies and team performance, therefore this might be a focus of future studies. Sevilla-Bernardo et al (2022) argue in their systematic literature review that the differences in business culture within various environments could potentially influence startup failures.…”