The impact of time pressure on knowledge transfer effectiveness in teams : trust as a critical but fragile mediator
Purpose: With faster innovation and shorter product cycles, time pressure is a highly relevant factor affecting contemporary business processes. This study aims to extend prior research on the effects of velocity at the firm level by considering the effect of time pressure on knowledge transfer effectiveness (KTE) on the team level and the role of trust as a mediator of this effect. Design/methodology/approach: We empirically assess the impact of time pressure on knowledge transfer effectiveness in teams. Further, we test the mediating effect of trust on this relationship. We study a sample of 285 project teams applying partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings: The authors find that time pressure is negatively associated with KTE. Moreover, trust among team members has a complementary mediating effect on this relationship. Thus, while trust is urgently needed for enhancing KTE under time pressure, time pressure reduces trust-building too. Research limitations/implications: This study establishes empirically the importance of time pressure and trust as drivers of KTE in teams. The contribution connects the field of knowledge management to important streams in the wider business literature: organization studies, management, strategic management, project management, innovation etc. Whereas the model is parsimonious, it has high explanatory power and high generalizability to other contexts. Practical implications: Team managers should take care to allow enough time for knowledge transfer within the team. This is particularly important when knowledge sharing is central, e.g. in innovation, development and change processes. If this is not possible, measures should be taken to maintain trust among team members. Social implications: Effective knowledge management enhances the performance of business entities and public-sector organizations alike. Today, both the private and public sectors are under considerable pressure to increase both efficiency and effectiveness. Effective knowledge transfer within teams is a core capability to achieve this goal. More effective organizations result in more competitive private firms, more employment opportunities and improved public services to citizens. Originality/value: Time pressure is an increasingly relevant factor in contemporary business but so far little explored in research. This study extends current knowledge by considering the effect of time pressure on KTE.
Year of publication: |
2020
|
---|---|
Authors: | Bjorvatn, Torbjørn ; Wald, Andreas |
Published in: |
Journal of Knowledge Management. - Emerald, ISSN 1367-3270, ZDB-ID 2009195-3. - Vol. 24.2020, 10 (15.09.), p. 2357-2372
|
Publisher: |
Emerald |
Saved in:
Online Resource
Saved in favorites
Similar items by person
-
Project complexity and team-level absorptive capacity as drivers of project management performance
Bjorvatn, Torbjørn, (2018)
-
Antecedents of knowledge transfer effectiveness in international teams
Bjorvatn, Torbjørn, (2024)
-
Complexity as a driver of media choice : a comparative study of domestic and international teams
Bjorvatn, Torbjørn, (2025)
- More ...