Empirical perspectives of transactive memory systems: a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 409-427
Author(s):  
Zikai Zhou ◽  
Pilar Pazos
Keyword(s):  
Team Effectiveness ◽  
Group Performance ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
The Body ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Affective Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Outcomes

Purpose The purpose of this study is to synthesize the previous empirical studies on transactive memory systems (TMS) through a meta-analytical approach and test the proposed model for the relationships between TMS and different types of team outcomes. Design/methodology/approach TMS refers to shared memory systems developed among a group of people for encoding, storage and retrieval of their different knowledge domains. They have been widely used in group or organization settings to describe the cumulative knowledge in a group of multi-disciplinary experts. Previous literature suggests TMS as a critical concept for explaining group performance, but few studies were conducted to integrate the literature findings to identify the relationships between TMS and team outcomes. Findings The findings suggest that TMS is more strongly linked to affective outcomes than behavioral or performance outcomes. In addition, the authors find that the specific operationalization of TMS does not affect the relationship between TMS and team outcomes. There was not enough support for significant effects of group size and research setting on the relationships between TMS and team outcomes, which indicates that both laboratory and field studies have similar potential to generate valuable results for the research of TMS. Originality/value This study contributes to the body of knowledge on team effectiveness by investigating the links between TMS and team effectiveness through a broad definition of outcomes that include tangible constructs, such as performance, as well as behavioral and affective outcomes. By exploring the relationships through this broad conceptualization of team effectiveness, the authors can better understand the particular effects of TMS on different key aspects used to determine success in teams.

When do entrepreneurial firms benefit from transactive memory systems?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti Batra ◽  
A.K. Dey
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Relationship Conflict ◽  
Entrepreneurial Firms ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Despite the recognized importance of transactive memory systems (TMS) for firm performance, this relationship remains misconstrued for entrepreneurial firms. Some researchers argue that entrepreneurial firms benefit from effective knowledge management systems, whereas others contend that such systems may prove expensive for resource-scarce entrepreneurial firms. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to explore this relationship in the context of Indian entrepreneurial firms. Furthermore, the authors argue that relationship conflict among organizational members impacts the TMS–performance link for entrepreneurial firms. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 127 entrepreneurial hotels in the Uttarakhand state of India and analyzed using multiple linear regression. Findings The findings of this study establish a positive relationship between TMS and firm performance for entrepreneurial firms. Also, it is found that TMS becomes more nuanced and beneficial in the presence of relationship conflict between organizational sub-units and is a unique finding that can be potentially helpful to entrepreneurs bestowed with the task of knowledge management in their organizations. Practical implications This study offers at least two insights to entrepreneurs. First, establishing TMS – i.e. managing knowledge in such a way that specialization units are created, credibility is established among the knowledge units, and there is scope for sufficient communication – leads to enhanced performance in entrepreneurial organizations. Second, as the level of relationship conflict within the entrepreneurial firm increases, it becomes all the more crucial to emphasize TMS. Originality/value Although researchers in the literature of knowledge management have emphasized a lot on its performance outcomes, relatively little research effort has been placed on understanding this link for entrepreneurial firms. The current study filled this void in the literature and offered crucial implications for entrepreneurial firms operating in dynamic environments such as hotels. Additionally, the data collected from a relatively unexplored context of Indian hospitality industry offer a valuable addition to the entrepreneurship literature.

scholarly journals Network ties and transactive memory systems: leadership as an enabler

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dainelis Cabeza Pulles ◽  
Francisco Javier LLorens Montes ◽  
Leopoldo Gutierrez-Gutierrrez
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between network ties (NT) and transactive memory systems (TMS), observed through three dimensions – specialization (TMSS), credibility (TMSCR), and coordination (TMSCO) – in the presence of leadership (LDR) as a moderating variable, in university research-and-development (R&D) groups. Design/methodology/approach The data are composed of 257 university R&D groups. To confirm the hypotheses, the authors use multiple linear regression analysis with a moderating effect. Findings The conclusions show that the relationships between NT and two of the three dimensions of TMS (TMSCR and TMSCO) are significant when LDR is included as a moderating variable. Although the effect of TMSS is positive, it is not significant. Including the interaction element enables better explanation of two of the dimensions of TMS in the sector analyzed. Thus, LDR is perfectly applicable to the university R&D environment. Research limitations/implications This research has several limitations that suggest further possibilities for empirical research. The limitations include the cross-sectional nature of the research and the judgment of a single manager as the basis of the perception analyzed for each group. Practical implications The authors provide several implications for R&D practitioners. The results of this study could be validated in other universities in other geographic areas, enabling better generalization and applicability of the results. The results described may serve as a guide for group leaders of university R&D. This research helps us to see the importance of LDR in forming internal research networks that help researchers to perform common projects in order to obtain better results in the group. Thus, the groups provided better results to society. Originality/value No studies have tested the moderating effect of LDR in university R&D empirically. The results provide information to fill this gap and demonstrate the applicability of LDR as a key element in the organization, improvement, and cohesion of R&D groups.

Relationship conflict, task conflict and teams’ transactive memory systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 626-640
Author(s):  
Jason M. Riley ◽  
William A. Ellegood
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Task Conflict ◽  
Relationship Conflict ◽  
Conflict Task ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how task conflict and relationship conflict influence teams’ transactive memory systems (TMS) and by extension team performance. Design/methodology/approach Leveraging experiential learning theory and a popular operations management simulation tool, survey data from 341 students, who worked on 117 simulation teams, are collected. To examine the present hypotheses bootstrapping analysis and SPSS were used. Findings Both task and relationship conflict can significantly diminish TMS development, which in turn, inhibits team performance. Thus, when teams disagree on how to approach a task, conflict could diminish TMS formation. In addition, when one team member has a personal conflict with one or more members that it further amplifies the influence of task conflict. To address the negative influence of both task and relationship conflict, teams should develop processes to better utilize members’ specialized knowledge and work together in a coordinated manner. Research limitations/implications The research adds to the literature by articulating the mediating influence that relationship conflict has on task conflict. Furthermore, it highlights how teams can develop TMS as a means to improve team performance when using simulation tools as a teaching device. Originality/value This work broadens our understanding of the conditions under which educators can teach students about teams and teamwork capabilities. In addition, the authors expand the use of simulations as an experiential learning tool.

Using social network analysis to measure transactive memory systems

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie King ◽  
Tracy Sweet
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Measures ◽  
Information Work ◽  
Network Instrument

Purpose This study aims to explore how social networks could be used in the measurement of transactive memory systems (TMS) or other team constructs and provide motivation for future analyses of TMS measurement. Design/methodology/approach TMSs describe the structures and processes that teams use to share information, work together and accomplish shared goals. This paper proposes the use of social network analysis in measuring TMS. This is accomplished by describing the creation and administration of a TMS network instrument and evaluating the relation of the proposed network measures, previous measures of TMS and performance. Findings Findings include that proposed network measures perform similarly to previously proposed, frequently used measures of TMS. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first papers to propose network measures for the evaluation of TMS.

Personality predictors of team taskwork understanding and transactive memory systems in service management teams

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanko Guchait ◽  
Katherine Hamilton ◽  
Nan Hua
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Management Teams ◽  
Current Work ◽  
Team Cognition ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine how personality composition in teams related to team taskwork understanding (TTU) and transactive memory systems (TMS) over time. Additionally, the study examined the relationship between TTU and TMS, and three team criteria variables: performance, satisfaction, and cohesion. Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal study was conducted with 27 service management teams involving 178 undergraduate students in a restaurant setting. The restaurant was open to the public so the team outcomes had real world consequences. Each team served between 90-140 customers. Findings – Results showed that team mean-level conscientiousness was significantly positively related to TTU and TMS in the initial stage of team formation. On the other hand, team mean-level agreeableness had a significant positive relationship with TTU and TMS later on in the team's lifecycle. Furthermore, significant positive relationships were found between TMS and team performance, TMS and team satisfaction, and TTU and team cohesion. Originality/value – The current work looked at how various team cognitions develop in teams over time as a result of personality composition in teams which has not been tested before. Unlike prior research, this study was conducted in a field setting instead of an experimental study in the laboratory. Finally, no research exists studying these relationships in a hospitality context. Therefore, the current work extends the generalizability of the team composition and team cognition theories.

Exploring the antecedents of organizational resilience practices – A transactive memory systems approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1531-1559
Author(s):  
Diogo Cotta ◽  
Fabrizio Salvador
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Organizational Resilience ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cooperation Incentives

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to explore individual- and firm-level antecedents of the ability of a manufacturing firm's personnel to collaborate and integrate knowledge for organizational resilience practices.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply hierarchical regression analysis to study a sample of 192 European industrial equipment manufacturers. Data for each firm are collected from surveys of two key informants in each firm, as well as from public sources.FindingsFirms' personnel’s ability to integrate information and knowledge for organizational resilience practices was positively related with the extent of the head of manufacturing's network of personal contacts inside the firm. This effect was stronger in firms with more formalized job descriptions and clearly defined roles. The head of manufacturing's orientation to teamwork and cooperation impacted this ability only in firms that did not financially incentivize cooperation. The authors also found that cooperation incentives and role formalization directly relate to firms' personnel’s ability to integrate information and knowledge for organizational resilience practices.Originality/valueThe study proposes to study organizational resilience practices through a transactive memory systems lens. The study is also the first to link characteristics of individual managers to firm-level resilience practices by examining the antecedents of firms' ability to integrate information and knowledge to recover from operational disruptions. Furthermore, the study serves to enhance the knowledge of resilience practices by examining the role of firm-level antecedents and their interplay with characteristics of individual managers.

Linking absorptive capacity, knowledge transfer and transactive memory

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Human
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Knowledge Worker ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to construct an argument in support of the idea that absorptive capacity may lead to improved transactive memory conditional to the effectiveness of knowledge transfer between team members. Design/methodology/approach The study reports on the results of data collected from 10 knowledge worker teams in a business-to-business context across various industries. The study tests a theoretical model to consider the relationship between the dimensions of absorptive capacity, knowledge transfer effectiveness and transactive memory systems. Findings At the individual level, the results suggest that knowledge acquisition and assimilation is associated with higher levels of knowledge transfer while unstructured knowledge transfer is associated with specialisation, credibility and coordination that drives transactive memory. Originality/value The results suggest that an alternative conceptualisation of the relationship between absorptive capacity, knowledge transfer effectiveness and transactive memory systems is indeed conceivable. This implies that transactive memory can benefit from increased absorptive capacity and enhanced knowledge transfer effectiveness and may point at an under-explored avenue of research.

Concrescent conversation environment, psychological safety, and team effectiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 29-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obasi Haki Akan ◽  
Eric P. Jack ◽  
Anju Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Team Effectiveness ◽  
Psychological Safety ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Team Processes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Outcomes ◽  
Verbal Behaviors ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between concrescent conversation environment (CCE), psychological safety and team effectiveness. Although CCE has been known to influence team outcomes, little is known about how it influences them. Integrating the social constructionist and social psychology perspectives, this study argues that CCE ignites a climate of psychological safety resulting in “joint-action” necessary for positive team outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 301 team members from US firms operating in different industries. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS. Findings The study establishes CCE as an antecedent to psychological safety and demonstrates that psychological safety mediates the relationship between CCE and team effectiveness. Research limitations/implications This is one of the initial studies to show how verbal behaviors socially construct team dynamics in the shape of psychological safety to influence team outcomes. In doing so, the authors advance the theory pertaining to the role of social exchanges in team processes and outcomes. Practical implications The results provide insights on how managers can improve team outcomes by influencing the conversational environment of the team to elicit feelings of psychological safety. The results also suggest that managers must focus on relational outcomes as well, along with performance outcomes. Originality/value From a social constructionist perspective, team development is built upon the verbal behaviors of the members as they pursue tasks. However, the extant group dynamics literature undervalues conversations’ role in team processes and outcomes. This is the first study that examines the link between a team's conversational environment, psychological safety and team outcomes.

Team implicit coordination based on transactive memory systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 375-390
Author(s):  
Kengo Nawata ◽  
Hiroyuki Yamaguchi ◽  
Mika Aoshima
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Transactive Memory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Transactive Memory Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Implicit Coordination

Purpose This study aims to examine how daily communication and transactive memory systems (TMSs) promote implicit team coordination, meaning when team members cooperate smoothly without engaging in explicit communication, in organizations. In TMSs, members share knowledge of who-knows-what with one another. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted with 216 teams consisting of 1,545 people in three organizations. The relationships among daily communication, TMSs and implicit coordination in the survey data and in team performance were analyzed using multi-level structural equation modeling. Findings Results confirmed a significant influence process model in which “daily communication → TMS → implicit coordination → team performance” at the team level. Therefore, as hypothesized, implicit coordination is positively related to team performance and daily communication has a positive relationship with implicit coordination through mediation by TMSs. Originality/value This study demonstrated the evidence of the relation between implicit coordination, TMS, team performance in organizational settings by using multi-level structural equation modeling.

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