Individuals Learning in Work Teams: Support to Knowledge Management Initiatives and an Important Source of Organizational Learning

TLDR

Learning behavior is a key component of individual and organizational learning and central to knowledge management. The study aims to identify team-level determinants—task characteristics and leadership styles—that influence learning behavior in work teams. The authors examined 105 employees in fifteen quality management teams in two Slovenian service organizations to test the influence of task characteristics and leadership on learning behavior. Learning behavior is positively driven by task variety, significance, and people‑oriented leadership, while task‑oriented leadership negatively affects it.

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the paper is to describe and explain the team-level determinants of learning behavior in work teams. Learning behavior is explained as an integral part of individual and organizational learning process and as an important part of knowledge management in organizations. The paper proposes that team's job characteristics (task variety, significance and identity), and team leadership (people and task oriented behaviors) have a positive contribution to the occurrence of learning behavior in work teams. The study performed in two Slovenian service organizations, on a sample of 105 employees - members of fifteen quality management teams, partially confirms the hypothesis. The occurrence of learning behavior of team members is determined by task variety and significance, and by people-oriented leadership. Task-oriented team leadership has a negative influence on the learning process of team members. The results are discussed and new directions for the research are presented.