- Title
- Determinants and success factors for transient multidisciplinary teams in supply chains
- Creator
- Kakwezi, Patrick
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2018
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- The heterogeneity inherent in multidisciplinary teams can lead to better outcomes for complex projects due to their advantages in knowledge, experience and expert background. However, in transitory teams, such as those commonly used in supply chains, the same heterogeneity can also be a barrier to effective team performance. Developing countries face additional challenges with transient multidisciplinary teams such as skill deficits, limited technologies and questionable ethical cultures. Despite the importance of these teams to effective supply chain management, little attention has been given to these types of teams and their success factors, especially in developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this research was develop a Team Success Determinant Factor (TSDF) model for assessing team performance and test it in the context of transient multidisciplinary teams in Sub-Sahara Africa. The model is based on four dimensions (communication, task complexity, power asymmetry, and cooperation) that represent success factors for transient multidisciplinary teams. A deductive survey-based research design was employed to test the model among 242 procurement team members representing 78 teams employed by the Ugandan Central Government. The survey design incorporated qualitative research and drew on relational and exchange theories. Data analysis was conducted via Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling to confirm the TSDF model via the four dimensions, along with its impact on team performance. Moderation analysis also revealed that both age and gender moderated the relationships between the TSDF model dimensions and team performance, while the effect of the length of tenure on the team was insignificant. Similarly, and surprisingly, team competence did not mediate the relationship. The research offers a theoretical contribution through developing the TSDF model as a hierarchical construct formed by communication, task complexity, power asymmetry and cooperation that provides clarity to the understanding of team performance. The findings further provide new managerial insights into the benefits and constraints of transient multidisciplinary team strategies. From a managerial perspective, practitioners need to invest in developing a team success environment that will advance communication, reduce task complexity, minimise power asymmetry and facilitate cooperation among procurement teams. In this sense, managers need to understand the components of TSDF that may help improve procurement task performance at various stages of the procurement process. Further, practitioners need to place attention to team composition in relation to mixing gender and age as a means of encouraging both diversity and cooperation. In sum, the research addresses the deficit of work in the area of transient multidisciplinary teams, most especially in supply chains in developing economies.
- Subject
- teams; multidisciplinary teams; supply chains; public sector; team communication; team cooperation; team competence; task complexity; power asymmetry; transient teams
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1391434
- Identifier
- uon:33231
- Rights
- Copyright 2018 Patrick Kakwezi
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 4 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 171 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |