oa De invloed van nieuwkomers op teaminnovatie

The effect of newcomers on team innovation

F. Rink & N. Ellemers, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 22, September 2009, nr. 3, pp. 288-300

This paper discusses the question under what conditions newcomers may contribute to the innovation potential of teams in a positive way. The literature shows that newcomers in a team tend to assimilate to the existing work norms and do not share their ideas and valuable insights with the team. This phenomenon does not help team innovation.

In a series of experimental studies we studied whether the future perspective of newcomers (i.e., a temporary versus permanent position in the team) and the collective regulation orientation of the team (a promotion versus prevention regulatory focus) affect newcomers' influence on team innovation. The results show that teams are prepared to listen to newcomers' ideas if these newcomers have a temporary status. In this case, the existing team members consider the potential differences between the team and the newcomers a matter of secondary significance. In addition, team climate was found to be an important factor in team innovation. When teams consider complex and unpredictable situations a challenge, they are more willing to accept changes and newcomers' unique contributions.