Perceived inclusion and team creativity climate: examining the role of learning climate and task interdependency

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between perceived inclusion (individual and group-level) and team creativity climate (TCC) and explore the role of team learning climate (TLC) and task interdependency in the above relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using questionnaires from 24 Indian organizations. The respondents were junior and middle-level employees (N = 303) working in small teams (n = 73). The cut-off criteria for sample team selection were at least three team members within a team had responded and at least 60% within-group response rate was achieved.

Findings

Perceived inclusion (PI) of employees had a positive influence on TCC via TLC. However, the negative effect of team-level differences in perceived inclusion (TPID) was also mediated by the learning climate. Task interdependency moderated the PI-TLC relationship in such a way that in a high task interdependency situation, the negative effect of TPID on learning climate is reduced, while in a low task interdependency situation, the negative effect is enhanced.

Originality/value

The current research has contributed to the limited literature on PI and team creativity. This paper has uniquely investigated TLC as an intervening variable in the PI-TCC relationship. The paper has encapsulated the theoretical and practical underpinnings of inclusion beliefs in the modern organizational context.

Citation

Ghosh, V. and Tripathi, N. (2021), "Perceived inclusion and team creativity climate: examining the role of learning climate and task interdependency", Management Research Review, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 849-866. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2020-0093