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  • 2017
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Cross-Boundary Teaming for Innovation: Integrating Research on Teams and Knowledge in Organizations

By: Amy C. Edmondson and Jean-François Harvey
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:49
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Abstract

Cross-boundary teaming, within and across organizations, is an increasingly popular strategy for innovation. Knowledge diversity is seen to expand the range of views and ideas that teams can draw upon to innovate. Yet, case studies of practice reveal that teaming across knowledge boundaries can be difficult, and innovation is not always realized. Two streams of research are particularly relevant for understanding this challenge: research on team effectiveness and research on knowledge in organizations. They offer complementary insights: the former stream focuses on group dynamics and measures team inputs, processes, emergent states, and outcomes, while the latter closely investigates dialogue and objects in recurrent social practices. Drawing from both streams, this paper seeks to shed light on the complexity of cross-boundary teaming, while highlighting factors that may enhance its effectiveness. We develop an integrative model to provide greater explanatory power than previous approaches to assess cross-boundary teaming efforts and their innovation performance.

Keywords

Teams; Knowledge; Innovation; Groups and Teams; Collaborative Innovation and Invention

Citation

Edmondson, Amy C., and Jean-François Harvey. "Cross-Boundary Teaming for Innovation: Integrating Research on Teams and Knowledge in Organizations." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 17-013, August 2016. (Revised February 2017.)
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About The Author

Amy C. Edmondson

Technology and Operations Management
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Related Work

    • 2017
    • Faculty Research

    Cross-Boundary Teaming for Innovation: Integrating Research on Teams and Knowledge in Organizations

    By: Amy C. Edmondson and Jean-François Harvey
Related Work
  • Cross-Boundary Teaming for Innovation: Integrating Research on Teams and Knowledge in Organizations By: Amy C. Edmondson and Jean-François Harvey
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