Team Performance in Multi-Team Systems: Faultlines and Team Boundaries

Abstract

In this symposium we address how faultlines and team boundaries affect team processes and outcomes in multi-team systems – networks of interconnected teams. Multi-team systems (MTS) are part of business practices such as strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions, however more research is needed to unravel the drivers of performance in MTS. Team faultlines are crucial determinants of team processes and outcomes, and are defined as hypothetical dividing lines that may split a group into subgroups based on team member attributes. Teams in MTS often have strong faultlines that affect team processes and outcomes, however how MTS characteristics affect team faultlines remains largely unaddressed. Moreover, prior studies have neglected that team members move within and between teams in MTS, affecting team boundaries and team faultlines. The presentations in this symposium therefore address how managerial ties, status differentials and leadership bridge faultlines within MTS. Additionally, the presentation...