The transmission mechanism of idea generation on idea implementation: team knowledge territoriality perspective

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the transmission mechanism of individual idea generation on team idea implementation and elucidate the relationships among team knowledge territoriality, team information exchange and team trust, which can better improve team knowledge sharing, decrease individual knowledge hiding or territoriality and assist the team in solving the predicament of idea implementation. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected by the paired method from 56 Chinese companies’ R&D teams, which comprised 356 valid samples. Besides, structure equitation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling were used to test the hypotheses. Findings Team knowledge territoriality had a significant positive impact on individual idea generation, team information exchange and team idea implementation. Team information exchange mediated the relationship between team knowledge territoriality and team idea implementation. Moreover, team information exchange positively moderated the relationship between team knowledge territoriality and individual idea generation. Furthermore, the relationship between individual idea generation and team idea implementation was mediated by team trust. Originality/value This study augments the theoretical research of territoriality and innovation process. From the viewpoint of knowledge territoriality to describe the coexistence of knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding in the organization, this study reveals the influence mechanism of team knowledge territoriality on team innovation process. Overall, this study provides empirical support that team territoriality can weaken the adverse impact of individual territoriality on innovation to a certain extent.

The Trickle-Down Effect of Territorial Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…Moreover, we provide a new perspective for the study of territorial behavior-social information processing theory. Specifically, our research differs from existing territorial behavior literature, which is largely based on the extended self-theory (Wang et al, 2019) and social exchange theory (Huo et al, 2017;Singh, 2019;Li et al, 2020b). In doing so, we extend the application of social information processing theory in the territorial behavior literature.…”

Knowledge territorial behavior congruence and innovation process: the moderating role of team territorial climate

“…Knowledge is a vital resource for an organization to uphold its competitiveness and is a core element of an innovation-driven development strategy (Ding et al, 2017;Li et al, 2020b). The research on knowledge resources and its effect on creativity has been a matter of concern for scholars, demonstrating that knowledge alone or in combination with other factors influenced employee creativity (Sternberg and Lubart, 1999;Woodman et al, 1993).…”

“…The negative view suggests that territorial behavior leads to knowledge hoarding and knowledge hiding (Das and Chakraborty, 2018) and results in isolation among colleagues (Brown et al, 2005), which impedes the innovation process smoothly (Huo et al, 2016;Li et al, 2020a). At the organizational level, the influential effect of organizational territoriality on innovation focuses on the perspectives of creative climate and cultural orientation (Li et al, 2020b). If the individual knowledge territoriality prevails in the organization or team, then it is easy to breed disadvantages, including knowledge hiding and knowledge hoarding (Peng, 2012).…”

“…In terms of method, the structural equation model is mainly used for analysis. Indeed, territoriality occurs at different levels (Peng, 2012;Li et al, 2020b). It remains to be investigated whether the team or organizational territorial climate would affect the individual territorial behavior.…”

“…Chinese have a propensity of protecting the interests of their own group (i.e. protect their territoriality; Li et al, 2020b). Hence, this study investigates the relationship between the territorial behavior congruence and the innovation process, which helps managers intervene in knowledge territoriality to drive innovation in the collectivism culture.…”