Innovative Work Behavior—A Key Factor in Business Performance? The Role of Team Cognitive Diversity and Teamwork Climate in This Relationship

Nadežda Jankelová,Zuzana Joniaková,Juraj Mišún

doi:10.3390/jrfm14040185

Nadežda Jankelová, Zuzana Joniaková + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm14040185

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Abstract

The aim of our paper is to examine whether the support of innovative work behavior by management is positively related to business performance and at the same time, whether this relationship is mediated by the teamwork climate and cognitive diversity of teams. Cognitive diversity is defined as differences in knowledge and perspective, which arise from professional diversity and account for its positive effects. A teamwork climate represents staff perceptions of collaboration between personnel. Business performance is defined by the level of sales. Our sample consisted of 211 managers of companies operating in Slovakia, and data collection took place in the form of a questionnaire. The main tool for examining the mechanism of operation of the investigated relationships is mediation using regression analysis and the Sobel test to determine the significance of the indirect effect of mediation variables. The findings point to a significant direct relationship between the innovative work behavior of company employees and business performance. The intensity of this relationship can be partly influenced by promoting cognitive diversity, especially in the area of knowledge and ways of thinking. The significant role of a teamwork climate was not demonstrated in the examined model.

Highlights

Introduction and Theoretical BackgroundThe context of the study stems from the fact that innovation is currently considered one of the basic preconditions for business competitiveness
In view of the findings described above, pointing to the importance of individual partial factors in the context of innovative work behavior (IWB) and its impact on business performance (BP), we consider it important to examine their interrelationships
The purpose of the study is to test the research proposition of a positive link between management’s support for IWB and BP, which is mediated by team cognitive diversity (CD) and TWC

Summary

Introduction

The context of the study stems from the fact that innovation is currently considered one of the basic preconditions for business competitiveness. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between the performance of companies and their innovation potential. Organizational performance is multidimensional, connected to the goals and objectives of organizations, and can be defined as an organization’s ability to use its resources efficiently and create outputs that are consistent with its objectives and relevant for its users (Peterson et al 2003). Organizations that continually innovate have been found to achieve a higher level of organizational performance (Ogbonnaya and Valizade 2016). According to Cainelli et al (2004), innovating firms tend to have higher levels of productivity and economic growth compared to zero-innovating companies. Companies are able to gain and maintain a competitive advantage

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