Shared Positive Emotion and Team Effectiveness

Purpose This study explored how positive emotion shared among team members influenced team effectiveness (team creativity;decision-quality;member satisfaction and learning). In addition;this study examined how member interactions that are cognitively broadening and building social resources mediated the relationship between shared positive emotion and team effectiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach A laboratory experiment was conducted with 72 work teams;and analysis of variance(ANOVA) and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were performed to test the hypotheses. Finding The results showed that;as hypothesized;teams experiencing a shared positive emotion of joy exhibited more frequent broadening-and-building interactions (i.e.;building on each other’s ideas;morale-building communication;and active affirmation) than those experiencing neutral emotions. Broadening-and-building interactions;in turn;have been found to increase team creativity and members’ satisfaction with the team but decreased team decision quality. Research Implications This study developed and tested broadening-and-building interactions as a key mechanism linking team shared emotions and outcomes. The main results indicate the importance of managing and cultivating team emotions and member interactions to achieve desirable team outcomes. In addition;teams may self-diagnose how effective member interactions are in achieving team goals;and create intervention opportunities. The focus on the emotional aspect of teams advances our understanding of team socio-emotional processes;a critical yet under-explored territory.