The scientific structure and evolution of trust within performance-oriented teams research: A citation network analysis and critical review.

Abstract

Trust is a key ingredient for the effective functioning of performance-oriented teams. Despite the advancements made pertaining to our understanding of trust, this field has also been described as fragmented at best, with competing schools of thought leading to conceptual confusion. To consolidate this field, exploring the evolution of trust within performance-oriented teams research that has shaped our perspectives to date is worthwhile. A two-phase systematic review process was undertaken. First, a citation network analysis (CNA) was conducted to identify the most prominent authors, articles, and journals. Both descriptive and knowledge structures (i.e., conceptual, intellectual, and social perspectives) of the field were explored. Second, a critical review of the most influential articles identified in the CNA was examined in relation to conceptual contributions. The main themes of the critical review included: (a) dominant trust perspectives, (b) the over-engagement in conceptual developments, (c) early considerations guiding future trust research, and (d) embracing the complexities of trust. Altogether, these findings reinforce the importance of cross-discipline collaboration and purposeful exploration of trust across team contexts, as researchers seek to develop a unified pathway for future trust within performance-oriented teams research.

Building and Managing High-Performance Research Teams Based on Data-Driven Approaches: a Quantitative Analysis Combining Leadership and Team Competitiveness

“…These characteristics enable research teams to achieve greater success in complex scientific research projects than individual work, driving progress and innovation in the scientific field. The formation of research teams is usually aimed at addressing complex and diverse scientific challenges, leveraging professional knowledge and diverse skills from different fields to jointly seek solutions and push scientific knowledge to new heights [1] .…”