Management Papers
Title
Knowledge Gathering, Team Capabilities, and Project Performance in Challenging Work Environments
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
8-2006
Publication Source
Management Science
Volume
52
Issue
8
Start Page
1170
Last Page
1184
DOI
10.1287/mnsc.1060.0530
Abstract
Knowledge gathering can create problems as well as benefits for project teams in work environments characterized by overload, ambiguity, and politics. This paper proposes that the value of knowledge gathering in such environments is greater under conditions that enhance team processing, sensemaking, and buffering capabilities. The hypotheses were tested using independent quality ratings of 96 projects and survey data from 485 project-team members collected during a multimethod field study. The findings reveal that three capability-enhancing conditions moderated the relationship between knowledge gathering and project quality: slack time, organizational experience, and decision-making autonomy. More knowledge gathering helped teams to perform more effectively under favorable conditions but hurt performance under conditions that limited their capabilities to utilize that knowledge successfully. Implications for theory and research on knowledge and learning in organizations, team effectiveness, and organizational design are discussed.
Copyright/Permission Statement
The original, published version of the article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1060.0530
Keywords
knowledge management, project teams, capabilities, quality, work environment
Recommended Citation
Haas, M. R. (2006). Knowledge Gathering, Team Capabilities, and Project Performance in Challenging Work Environments. Management Science, 52 (8), 1170-1184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1060.0530
Date Posted: 19 February 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.
Comments
At the time of publication, author Martine R. Haas was affiliated with Cornell University. Currently, she is a faculty member at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.