A NEW VISION OF TEAM KNOWLEDGE : MULTIDIMENSIONAL CONTENT & STRUCTURE

In spite of increasing interest in team knowledge, as evidenced by the multiple perspectives discussed in the literature, the lack of an integrated framework limits both our understanding of its boundaries and the efficacy of its measures. We propose that team knowledge may be conceptualized as sets of dimensions related to (1) the content of knowledge; and (2) how this knowledge is held by team members – that is, its structure. This paper builds on a range of theoretical perspectives to propose a multidimensional construct of team knowledge in which the various dimensions are organized as pertaining to either content or structure. We further discuss measurement issues related to each dimension, detailing empirical methods previously used and suggesting further approaches. Finally, we illustrate how these multiple perspectives on team knowledge can be explicated through combinations of our suggested dimensions. In spite of increasing interest in team knowledge, as evidenced by the multiple perspectives discussed in the literature, the lack of an integrated framework limits both our understanding of its boundaries and the efficacy of its measures. We propose that team knowledge may be conceptualized as sets of dimensions related to (1) the content of knowledge; and (2) how this knowledge is held by team members – that is, its structure. This paper builds on a range of theoretical perspectives to propose a multidimensional construct of team knowledge in which the various dimensions are organized as pertaining to either content or structure. We further discuss measurement issues related to each dimension, detailing empirical methods previously used and suggesting further approaches. Finally, we illustrate how these multiple perspectives on team knowledge can be explicated through combinations of our suggested dimensions.