Title: Crafting better team climate: the benefits of using creative methods during team initiation

Authors: Dirk J. Primus; Crystal X. Jiang

Addresses: Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Turnpike, Smithfield, RI 02917, USA ' Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Turnpike, Smithfield, RI 02917, USA

Abstract: This study employs a mixed methods approach to investigate the effect of creative methods, the combinative use of model building and storytelling, during team initiation on team climate, a critical people-related factor in the management of collective innovation work. Qualitative analysis provides empirical evidence that creative methods benefit team initiation by raising participative confidence, engagement with the social environment as well as the team activities, friendly competition among team members, and by reducing fear of failure and habitual thinking. We also find support that the use of creative methods initiates and supports the development of positive team climate over the span of a team's life. A quantitative comparison with two control groups using the 14-item team climate inventory (TCI) 13 weeks after the team initiation indicates that the test group has significantly higher values in all dimensions of the TCI than the two control groups. Overall, this examination informs the work of innovation managers and scholars with vital insights about the effectiveness of using creative methods during team initiation.

Keywords: team climate; team building; creative methods; team initiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2019.099606

International Journal of Technology Management, 2019 Vol.79 No.3/4, pp.299 - 321

Received: 06 Oct 2017
Accepted: 02 Oct 2018
Published online: 14 May 2019 *

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