Effect of Intrasquad Communication and Atmosphere on Team Creativity

Abstract

Purpose - This study investigates the effect of intrasquad communication and atmosphere on team creativity in a team-driven project. Specifically, it explores how communication type and team atmosphere affect such creativity.

Design/methodology/approach - We divided communication type into four 2×2 quadrants to analyze the effects of communication on team creativity using ordinary least squares regression. Data were obtained from an online questionnaire survey of Japanese workers (N=800).
Findings - Communication within the team was positively correlated with team creativity, regardless of whether it was face-to-face/non-face-to-face, or formal/private. However, “psychological safety” and “good rapport” within the team were confounding factors. When these were controlled for, only “face-to-face and formal” and “non-face-to-face and private” were significantly positively correlated with team creativity. In particular, higher amounts of non-face-to-face and private communication led to higher team creativity.

Originality - Focusing on team creativity instead of individual creativity, this study divided communication into four types and analyzed the relationship between the amount of each type of communication and team creativity. In addition, the study clarified the relationship between “psychological safety” and “good rapport” in the team and team creativity.

Keywords: Creativity, communication, psychological safety, team management, innovation