Redefining multidisciplinary team boundaries in resolving heterogeneous knowledge dilemmas
by Violina Ratcheva
International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise (IJIE), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2007

Abstract: The uniqueness of multidisciplinary teamwork is in its potential to integrate different bodies of knowledge into a new synergy. However, previous empirical studies have shown that member heterogeneity and geographic separation hinder effective sharing and use of team knowledge. This paper explores how such teams interact to overcome the barriers and take advantage of their 'built in' knowledge diversity. The empirical data for this study was gathered through multimethod field research of five dispersed multidisciplinary teams. The findings indicate that often teams lack common background knowledge at the beginning of the projects and in order to resolve differences members rely on their external intellectual and social communities. The reported research establishes a positive correlation between team members' participation in multiple professional and social networks and teams' abilities to successfully build on their knowledge diversity. The findings also suggest a need to reconceptualise the boundaries of multidisciplinary teams and to consider the processes of sharing diverse knowledge in a wider social context.

Online publication date: Mon, 28-May-2007

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