The influence of age-based faultlines on team performance: Examining mediational paths Articles uri icon

publication date

  • October 2020

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0263-2373

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-5681

abstract

  • In a sample of 60 branches of a bank, we examine the influence of age-based faultlines on team performance. Specifically, we propose a model with four mediational paths in the age-based faultline-team performance link. Using a time-lagged design with three data-collection points, we found that task conflict, team reflexivity, and negative team mood mediated the negative relationship between age-based faultline strength and team performance. The results reveal the value of examining different mediational paths to explain the negative impact of teams' demographic faultlines on team performance, and the need to integrate both task-related and affective aspects of team work in order to improve our understanding about how the influence of team faultlines develops. Furthermore, our findings offer managers practical guidance for reducing faultline effects on team performance.

keywords

  • demographic faultlines; age-based faultlines; relationship conflict; task conflict; team reflexivity; negative team mood