Formalization Structure and Team Creativity in High Tech Firms

Rodney Manyike

doi:10.20525/ijrbs.v8i4.306

Abstract

This research paper investigated the effect of the role of formalization structure on team creativity mediated by task conflict. The object of this research is high tech organizations in China, while the subject is 417 employees in 67 teams and 55 team leaders. Data was gathered through a questionnaire in two waves, first, through the employees’ survey questionnaires administered to team members and three months later to team leaders. The measurements were assessed using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) in SPSS, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS version 23. A multiple linear regression model was fitted to the data to test how far structure affects team creativity using the SPSS 24.0 version. Findings indicated that the formalization structure affects team creativity, and that task conflict mediated the relationship between formalization structure and team creativity. Thus, teams with a formalization structure have moderate task conflict, which in turn contribution towards team creativity.

Highlights

In today’s competitive environment, creativity is a key success factor for nations and organizations
The findings reveal that when task conflict is introduced as mediating effects, 38.4% variation in team creativity in high tech firms in China could be attributed to structure and task conflict
This research concludes that structure has a significant positive influence on team creativity

Summary

Introduction

In today’s competitive environment, creativity is a key success factor for nations and organizations. Organizations and nations, high-tech companies, are increasingly supporting conditions that encourage creativity within the workplace. Teams have become a commonly used work format to enhance creativity. More attention needs to be given to the variables that affect team level creativity. Creativity is regarded as an influential force in developing nations’ competitive advantages (Grant, 1991). It is argued that handling innovation elements is an essential component of a national innovation system (OECD, 2008). Governments can progress or weaken from the national advantages based on its governance of innovation system (Porter, 1992)

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion