THE EFFECT OF VISION AND ROLE CLARITY ON TEAM PERFORMANCE

Abstract

A strong vision and role definition can provide direction to a team and can positively impact its ability to succeed. However, although many studies conclude that vision and role clarity are important at the organizational level, the impacts of vision and role clarity on innovation/teams have received far less attention. The purpose of this research is to discuss vision components and Role Clarity, and explore their impacts on team performance. After studying the vision on a series of 9 innovation teams at three companies (Apple, IBM, and HP), we empirically tested the impact of the two components of vision (Vision Clarity, and Vision Support) and Role Clarity on overall team performance. Data were collected from 75 team members. We found that Vision Clarity has a positive effect on team performance. We also found that Vision Support and Role Clarity are not significantly related to team performance.

References

1. • Agnihotri, R., Rapp, A., Kothandaraman, P., and Singh, R.K. (2012), ‘An Emotion- Based Model of Salesperson Ethical Behaviors,’ J Bus Ethics, 109, 243–257.
2. • Anderson, N.R., and West, M.A. (1998), ‘Measuring Climate for Work Group Innovation: Development and Validation of the Team Climate Inventory (TCI),’ Journal of Organizational Behavior, 19, 235-258.
3. • Aritzeta, A., Ayestaran, S., and Swailes, S. (2005), ‘Team Role Preference and Conflict Management Styles,’ The International Journal of Conflict Management, 16, 157-182.
4. • Bain, P., Mann, L., and Pirola-Merlo, A. (2001), ‘The Innovation Imperative: The Relationships Between Team Climate, Innovation, and Performance In Research and Development Teams,’ Small Group Research, 32, 55-73.
5. • Bauer, T. N., Bodner, T., Erdogan, B., Truxillo. D. M., and Tucker, J. S. (2007), ‘Newcomer Adjustment During Organizational Socializations: A Meta-Analytic Review of Antecedents, Outcomes, and Methods,’ Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 707-715,
6. • Beauchamp. M., and Bray, S. (2001 ), ‘Role Ambiguity and Role Conflict Within Interdependent Teams,’ Small Group Research, 32, 133-157.
7. • Beersma, B., Hollenbeck, J. R., Conlon, D. E., Humphrey, S. E., Moon, H., and Ilgen, D. R. (2009), ‘Cutthroat Cooperation: The Effects of Team Role Decisions on Adaptation to Alternative Reward Structures,’ Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 108, 131–142.
8. • Behfar, K. J., Mannix, E. A., Peterson, R. S., and Trochim, W. M. (2011), ‘Conflict in Small Groups: The Meaning and Consequences of Process Conflict,’ Small Group Research, 42, 127–176.

9. • Bessant, J., Caffyn, S., and Gallagher, M. (2001), ‘An Evolutionary Model of Continuous Improvement Behavior,’ Technovation, 21, 67-77.
10. • Braun, F., and Avital, M. (2007), ‘Good Project Management Practices Drive More Than Project Success: Learning, Knowledge Sharing and Job Satisfaction in It Project Teams,’ Proceedings of the 13th Americas Conference on Information Systems at Colorado, August 9–12, pp. 1–11.
11. • Bray, S. R., and Brawley, L. R. (2002), ‘Role Efficacy, Role Clarity, and Role Performance Effectiveness,’ Small Group Research, 33, 233-253.
12. • Briner, W., Geddes, M., and Hastings, C. (1996), Project Leadership, Aldershot, UK: Gower.
13. • Brown, D.J., and Lord, R.G. (1999), ‘The Utility of Experimental Research in The Study of Transformational/Charismatic Leadership,’ Leadership Quarterly, 10, 531–539.
14. • Brown, S.L., and Eisenhardt, K.M. (1995), ‘Product Development: Past Research, Present Findings, and Future Directions,’ Academy of Management Review, 20, 343-378.
15. • Brunetto, Y., Farr-Wharton, R., and Shacklock, K. (2011), ‘Supervisor–Nurse Relationships, Teamwork, Role Ambiguity and Well-Being: Public Versus Private Sector Nurses,’ Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 49, 143–164.
16. • Charbonnier-Voirin, A., El Akremi, A., and Vandenberghe, C. (2010), ‘A Multilevel Model of Transformational Leadership and Adaptive Performance and The Moderating Role of Climate For Innovation,’ Group and Organization Management, 35, 699-726.
17. • Chiessa, V., Coughland, P., and Voss, C.A. (1996), ‘Development of a Technical Innovation Audit,’ Journal of Product Innovation Management, 13, 105-136.
18. • Chin, W.W. (1998), ‘The Partial Least Squares Approach For Structural Equation Modeling,’ In Modern Methods for Business Research, ed. G.A. Marcoulides. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 295–336.
19. • Choi, S.Y., Lee, H., and Yoo, Y. (2010), ‘The Impact of Information Technology and Transactive Memory Systems on Knowledge Sharing, Application, and Team Performance: A Field Study,’ MIS Quarterly, 34, 855-870.
20. • Cole, M. S., Harris, S. G., and Bernerth, J. B. (2006), ‘Exploring the Implications of Vision, Appropriateness and Execution of Organizational Change,’ Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 27, 353-367.
21. • Covey, S.R. (1997), ‘Accelerated learning,’ Executive Excellence, 14, 3-4.
22. • Crawford, M.C., and Di Benedetto, A.C. (2000), New Product Management, (sixth ed.), New York: The McGraw-Hill companies.
23. • Davenport, T. H. and Prusak, L. (1998), Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know, Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press.
24. • Day, G. S. (1994), ‘The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations,’ Journal of Marketing, 58, 37-52.
25. • De Wit, F. R. C., Greer, L. L., and Jehn, K. A. (2012), ‘The Paradox of Intragroup Conflict: A Meta-Analysis,’ Journal of Applied Psychology, 97, 360–390.
26. • Deeter-Schmelz, D. R. (1997), ‘Applying Teams to Logistics Processes: Information Acquisition and The Impact of Team Role Clarity and Norms,’ Journal of Business Logistics, 8, 159-178.
27. • Drach-Zahavy, A., and Freund, A. (2007), ‘Team Effectiveness Under Stress: A Structural Contingency Approach,’ Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28, 423- 450.
28. • Eisenhardt, K.M. (1989), ‘Making Fast Strategic Decision in High-Velocity Environments,’ Academy of Management Journal, 32, 543-576.
29. • Esper, T., Fugate, B., and Rapert, M.I. (2008), ‘Enhancing Relationships Within Groups: The Impact of Role Perceptions Within Logistics Teams,’ Journal of Relationship Marketing, 7, 121-150.
30. • Feistritzer, N.R., and Jones, P.O. (2014), ‘A Proof-of-Concept Implementation of a Unit-Based Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Role: Structural Empowerment, Role Clarity and Team Effectiveness,’ Nursing Clinics of North America, 49, 1-13.
31. • Foote, D. A., Seipel, S. J,, Johnson. N. B., and Duffy, M. K. (2005), ‘Employee Commitment and Organizational Policies,’ Management Decision, 43, 203-219.
32. • Fornell, C. and Larcker, D. (1981), ‘Evaluating Structural Equation Models With Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error,’ Journal of Marketing Research, 18, 39–50.
33. • Forsyth, D. R. (1999), Group dynamics (3rd ed.), Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
34. • Gibbon, B., Watkıns, C., Barer, D., Waters, K., Davies, S., Lıghtbody L., and Leathley, M. (2002), ‘Can Staff Attitudes to Team Working in Stroke Care Be Improved?,’ Journal of Advanced Nursing, 40, 105–111.
35. • Giordan J. C. (1995), ‘That Vision Thing,’ Research-Technology Management, 38, 8-9.
36. • Gladstein, D. L. (1984), ‘Groups In Context: A Model of Task Group Effectiveness,’ Administrative Science Quarterly, 29, 499-517.
37. • Hackman, J. R. (1992), ‘Group Influences on Individuals in Organizations,’ in Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, eds. M. D. Dunnette and L. M. Hough: Consulting Psychologists Press, pp. 199–267
38. • Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., and Sarstedt, M. (2011), ‘PLS-SEM: Indeed a Silver Bullet,’ Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19, 139–151.
39. • Hamel, G., and Prahalad, C.K. (1989), ‘Strategic Intent,’ Harvard Business Review (May-June), 63-76.
40. • Hansen, P. G. (1994), ‘Getting Your Team on the Same Side,’ Financial Executive Magazine, 10, 43-49.
41. • Hanson, P.G., and Lubin, B. (1988), ‘Team Building as Group Development,’ in Team Building: Blue Prints For Productivity and Satisfaction, eds. W.B. Reddy and K. Jamiron, Aexandria, VA.: National Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, pp. 76-78.
42. • Hartenian, L. S., Hadaway, F. J., and Badovick, G. J. (1994), ‘Antecedents and Consequences of Role Perceptions: A Path Analytic Approach,’ Journal of Applied Business Research, 10, 40-50.
43. • Henseler, J., Ringle, C.M., and Sinkovics, R.R. (2009), ‘The Use of Partial Least Squares Path Modeling in International Marketing,’ Advances in International Marketing, 20, 277–319.
44. • Hong, P., Doll, W.J., Nahm, A. Y., and Li, X. (2004), ‘Knowledge Sharing in Integrated Product Development,’ European journal of Innovation Management, 7, 102-112.
45. • Houston, B. (1972), ‘Let's Put More Esprit in the Corporation,’ Harvard Business Review, 50, 55-61.
46. • Hülsheger, U. R., Anderson, N., and Salgado, J. F. (2009), ‘Team-Level Predictors of Innovation at Work: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Spanning Three Decades Of Research,’ Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 1128–1145.
47. • Jackson, S. E., and Schuler, R. S. (1985), ‘A Meta-Analysis and Conceptual Critique of Research on Role Ambiguity and Role Conflict in Work Settings,’ Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 36, 16–78.
48. • Jehn, K. A. (1995), ‘A Multimethod Examination of the Benefits and Detriments of Intragroup Conflict,’ Administrative Science Quarterly, 40, 256–282.
49. • Jehn, K. A. (1997), ‘A Qualitative Analysis of Conflict Types and Dimensions in Organizational Groups,’ Administrative Science Quarterly, 42, 530–557.
50. • Jehn, K. A., and Bendersky, C. (2003), ‘Intragroup Conflict in Organizations: A Contingency Perspective on the Conflict-Outcome Relationship,’ Research in Organizational Behavior, 25, 187–243.
51. • Jehn, K. A., and Mannix, E. A. (2001), ‘The Dynamic Nature Of Conflict: A Longitudinal Study of Intragroup Conflict and Group Performance,’ Academy of Management Journal, 44, 238–251.
52. • Kahn, R. L., Wolfe, D. M., Quinn, R. P., Snoek, J. D., and Rosenthal, R. A. (1964), Occupational Stress: Studies in Role Conflict and Ambiguity, New York: John Wiley.
53. • Katzenbach, J., and Smith, D. (1992), The Wisdom of Teams, Boston, MA: Harvard Business Scholl Press.
54. • Kessler, E.H., and Chakrabarti, A.K. (1996), ‘Innovation Speed: A Conceptual Model of Context, Antecedents, and Outcomes,’ Academy of Management Review, 21, 1143-1191.
55. • Khurana, A., and Rosenthal, S.R. (1998), ‘Toward Holistic ‘Front-End’ in New Product Development Projects,’ Journal of Product Innovation Management, 5, 3, 180-190.
56. • Kiesler, S. (1978), Interpersonal Processes in Groups and Organizations, AHM Publishing Corporation.
57. • Kirkman, B.L., and Rosen, B. (1999), ‘Beyond Self-Management: Antecedents and Consequences of Team Empowerment,’ Academy of Management Journal, 42, 58–74.
58. • Kleijnen, M., Ruyter, K., and Wetzels, M. (2007), ‘An Assessment of Value Creation in Mobile Service Delivery and The Moderating Role of Time Consciousness,’ Journal of Retailing, 83, 33–46.
59. • Klein, C., DiazGranados, D., Salas, E., Le, H., Burke, C. S., Lyons, R., and Goodwin, G. F. (2009), ‘Does Team Building Work?,’ Small Group Research, 40, 181–222.
60. • Koufteros, Xenophon A., Vonderembse, Mark A., and Doll, William J. (2002), ‘Integrated Product Development Practices and Competitive Capabilities: The Effects Of Uncertainty, Equivocality, and Platform Strategy,’ Journal of Operations Management, 20, 331–355.
61. • Langfred, C. W. (2007), ‘The Downside of Self-Management: A Longitudinal Study of The Effects of Conflict on Trust, Autonomy, and Task Interdependence in Self- Managing Teams,’ Academy of Management Journal, 50, 885–900.
62. • Larson, C., and LaFasto, F. M. (1989), Teamwork: What Must Go Right/What Can Go Wrong, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
63. • Launonen, M., and Kess, P. (2002), ‘Team Roles in Business Process Re- Engineering,’ International Journal of Production Economics, 77, 205-218.
64. • Lewis, J. (2001), Project Planning Scheduling & Control, New York: McGraw-Hill.
65. • Locke, E. A., Shaw, K. M., Saari, L.M., and Latham, G. P. (1981), ‘Goal Setting and Task Performance: 1969-1980,’ Psychological Bulletin, 90, 125-152.
66. • Lucas, J.R. (1998), ‘Anatomy of a Vision Statement,’ Management Review, 87, 22- 26.
67. • Lynn, G. S., Abel, K., Valentine, W.S., and Wright, R. (1999), ‘Key Factors in Increasing Speed to Market and Improving New Product Success Rates,’ Industrial Marketing Management, 28, 319-326.
68. • Lynn, G. S., and Akgün, A. E. (2001), ‘Project Visioning: Is Components and Impact on New Product Success,’ The Journal of Product Innovation Management, 18, 374-387.
69. • Lynn, G.S. (1998), ‘New Product Team Learning: Developing and Profiting From Your Knowledge Capital,’ California Management Review, 40,74-93.
70. • MacKenzie, S.B., Podsakoff, P.M., and Jarvis, C.B. (2005), ‘The Problem of Measurement Model Misspecification in Behavioral and Organizational Research and Some Recommended Solutions,’ Journal of Applied Psychology, 90, 710–730.
71. • MacMillan, P. (2001), The Performance Factor: Unlocking the Secrets of Teamwork, Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
72. • Mannix, E., and Neale, M. A. (2005), ‘What Differences Make a Difference? The Promise and Reality of Diverse Teams in Organizations,’ Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 6, 31–55.
73. • McAlister, J.M. (1998), ‘Vision precedes success,’ Military Review,’ 78, 24-29.
74. • Meyer, C., and Purser, R. E. (1993), ‘Six Steps to Becoming aFast-Cycle-Time Competitor,’ Research-Technology Management, September-October, 41-48.
75. • Millson M. R, Raj, S. P., and Wilemon, D. (1992), ‘A Survey of Major Approach for Accelerating New Product Development,’ Journal of Product Innovation Management, 9, 53-69.
76. • Moorman, C. (1995), ‘Organizational Market Information Processes: Cultural Antecedents and New product Outcomes,’ Journal of Marketing Research, 32, 318-335.
77. • Moynihan, D, P., and Pandey, S, K. (2007), ‘Finding Workable Levers Over Work Motivation: Comparing Job Satisfaction, Job Involvement, and Organizational Commitment,’ Administration and Society, 39, 803-832,
78. • Newman, G. A., and Wright, J. (1999), ‘Team Effectiveness: Beyond Skills and Cognitive Ability,’ Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 376-389.
79. • Niemes, J. (1996), ‘Team Member Must Have Vision, Trust, Confidence,’ Orlando Business Journal, 12, 15.
80. • Nijssen E., Arbouw, A. R. L., and Commandeur, H. R. (1995), ‘Accelerating New Product Development: A Preliminary Empirical Test of A Hierarchy of Implementation,’ Journal of Product Innovation Management, 12, 99-109.
81. • Nunnally, J.C. (1978), Psychometric Theory, New York: McGraw-Hill.
82. • O’Neill, T.A., Allen, N.J., and Hastings, S.E. (2013), ‘Examining the “Pros” and “Cons” of Team Conflict: A Team-Level Meta-Analysis of Task, Relationship, and Process Conflict,’ Human Performance, 26, 236–260.
83. • O'Leary-Kelly, A. M., Martocchio, J.J., and Frink, D.D. (1994), ‘A Review of the Influence of Group Goals on Group Performance,’ Academy of Management Journal, 37, 1285-1301.
84. • Patanakul, P., Chen, J., and Lynn, G. S. (2012), ‘Autonomous Teams and New Product Development,’ Product Development & Management Association, 29, 734–750.
85. • Pearsall, M. J., Ellis, A. P. J., and Stein, J. (2009), ‘Coping With Challenge and Hindrance Stressors in Teams: Behavioral, Cognitive, and Affective Outcomes,’ Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 109, 18-28.
86. • Pieterse, A.N., Knıppenberg, D.V., and Dierendonck, D.V. (2013), ‘Cultural Diversity and Team Performance: The Role of Team Member Goal Orientation,’ Academy of Management Journal, 56, 782–804.
87. • Puck, J., and Pregernig, U. (2014). The Effect of Task Conflict and Cooperation on Performance of Teams: Are the Results Similar for Different Task Types?. European Management Journal. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2014.03.007.
88. • Ray, D., and Bronstein, H. (1995), Teaming Up: Making the Transition to a Self- Directed, Team-Based Organization. New York: McGraw Hill.
89. • Reid, S. E. and Brentani, U. (2010), ‘Market Vision and Market Visioning Competence: Impact on Early Performance for Radically New, High-Tech Products,’ J Prod Innov Manag, 27, 500–518.
90. • Revilla, E., and Cury, T. (2009), ‘Antecedents and Consequences of Team Vision in Product Development: An Empirical Evidence,’ IE Business School Working Paper, WP09-01.
91. • Revilla, E., and Rodriguez, B. (2011), ‘Team Vision in Product Development: How Knowledge Strategy Matters,’ Technovation, 31, 118-127.
92. • Rice, M.P., O’Conner, G.C., Peters, L.S., and Morone, J.G. (1998), ‘Managing Discontinuous Innovation,’ Research Technology Management, 41, 52-58.
93. • Richardson, J. (2010), An Investigation of the Prevalence and Measurement of Teams in Organizations: The Development And Validation of The Real Team Scale, Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Aston University, UK.
94. • Rico, R., Sanchez-Manzanares, M., Gil, F., and Gibson, C. (2008), ‘Team Implicit Coordination Processes: A Team Knowledge- Based Approach,’ The Academy of Management Review, 33, 163-184.
95. • Ringle, C.M., Wende, S., and Will, A. (2005), SmartPLS 2.0 (beta), Hamburg, Germany, http://www.smartpls.de.
96. • Rizzo, J. R., House, R. J., and Lirtzman, S. I. (1970), ‘Role Conflict and Ambiguity in Complex Organizations,’ Administrative Science Quarterly, 15, 150-163.
97. • Rogers, M. (2009), What Can We Learn About Teamwork and Ants?, Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings With Michael Rogers, http://www.teamworkandleadership.com/2009/10/what-can-we-learn-about- teamwork-and-ants-video-included.html#sthash.au3osvsF.dpbs.
98. • Rose J., Ahuja, A.K., and Jones, C. (2006), ‘Attitudes of Direct Care Staff Towards External Professionals, Team Climate and Psychological Wellbeing: A Pilot Study,’ Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10, 105‒120.
99. • Roth, G., and Kleiner, A. (1998), ‘Developing Organizational Memory Through Learning Histories,’ Organizational Dynamics, 27, 43-60.
100. • Rouse, W.B, Cannon-Bowers, J.A., and Salas, E. (1992), ‘The Role of Mental Models in Team Performance in Complex Systems,’ IEEE Transactions On Systems, Man, And Cybernetics, 22, 1296-1308.
101. • Ruiz-Ulloa, B. C , and Adams, S. G. (2004), ‘Attitude Toward Teamwork and Effective Teaming,’ Team Performance Management, 10, 145-151.
102. • Savelsbergh, C., Gevers, J. M. P., van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., and Poell, R.F. (2012), ‘Team Role Stress: Relationships With Team Learning and Performance in Project Teams,’ Group & Organization Management, XX, 1–34.
103. • Schippers, M.C., Homan, A.C., and Knippenberg, D.V. (2012), ‘To Reflect Or Not to Reflect: Prior Team Performance as a Boundary Condition of the Effects of Reflexivity on Learning and Final Team Performance,’ Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34, 6–23.
104. • Shalley, C., and Gilson, L.L. (2004), ‘What Leaders Need to Know: A Review of Social and Contextual Factors That Can Foster or Hinder Creativity,’ The leadership Quarterly, 15, 33-53.
105. • Shoemaker, M. E. (2003), ‘Leadership Behaviors in Sales Managers: A Level Analysis,’ Journal of Marketing Theory & Practice, 11, 17-29.
106. • Sosik, J.J., Kahai, S.S., and Piovoso, M.J. (2009), ‘Silver Bullet or Voodoo Statistics? A Primer for Using the Partial Least Squares Data Analytic Technique in Group and Organization Research,’ Group & Organization Management, 34, 5–36.
107. • Stewart, G. L., Fulmer, I. S., Barrick, M, R., and Hollenbeck, J, (2005), ‘An Exploration of Member Roles as a Multilevel Linking Mechanism for Individual Traits and Team Outcomes,’ Personnel Psychology, 58, 343-365.
108. • Teas, R. K. (1980), ‘An Empirical Test of Linkages Proposed in the Walker. Churchill, and Ford Model of Salesforce Motivation and Performance,’ Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 8, 58-72.
109. • Teas, R. K., Wacker, J. G., and Hughes, R. E. (1979), ‘A Path Analysis of Causes and Consequences of Salespeople’s Perceptions of Role Clarity,’ Journal of Marketing Research, 16, 355–369.
110. • Vaughan, J.A. (1997), ‘Vision And Meaning,’ Executive Excellence, 14, 11-12.
111. • Yukelson, D. (1997), ‘Principles of Effective Team Building Interventions in Sport: A Direct Services Approach at Penn State University,’ Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 9, 73-96.
112. • Zhang, Q., and Doll, W.J. (2001), ‘The Fuzzy Front End and Success of New Product Development: A Causal Model,’ European Journal of Innovation Management, 4, 95-112.
113. • Zhang, Z., Waldman, D.A., and Wang, Z. (2012), ‘A Multilevel Investigation of Leader–Member Exchange, Informal Leader Emergence, and Individual and Team Performance,’ Personnel Psychology, 65, 49-78.