The Impact of Goal Structure in Team Knowledge Creation

This study explores the role of goal structure in team knowledge creation, and the extent to which the impact of goal cooperativeness is consequent to the associated emergence of a constructive group norm and collaborative behaviours. To investigate this theory, we assess whether openmindedness norms and decision-comprehensiveness operate as mediating variables between goal cooperativeness and knowledge creation. The results support our hypotheses that the impact of goal structure is consequent to the emergence of expectations and behavioural patterns that facilitate open, rigorous discussion. By specifying and testing critical relationships, this article contributes to our understanding of psycho-social variables underpinning knowledge creation, which has implications for group effectiveness and innovation research.