Discussability ethical values, constructive controversy and innovative work behavior in teams
Andre B. C. Blom* and Petru Lucian Curşeu**
Affiliation* Department of Organization, Open Universiteit, Heerlen, The Netherlands
Affiliation**Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; petruCurşThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & Department of Organization, Open Universiteit, Heerlen, The Netherlands, petru.CurşThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.*
Abstract: This study investigates the dynamic interplay between the shared ethical values emphasizing discussability, constructive controversy and innovative work behavior (IWB) in teams. We use a longitudinal design to evaluate in a sample of 98 organizational teams the co-evolution of discussability ethical values, constructive controversy and innovative work behavior over time. We use a latent growth curve modeling approach to test the mediating role of constructive controversy in the relation between discussability ethical values and innovative work behavior. Results show that the slope and intercept of discussability ethical values positively co-evolve with the slope and intercept for constructive controversy. Moreover, the slope and intercept of constructive controversy positively co-evolve with the slope and intercept of innovative work behavior. These results show how dynamics of team-level ethical values shape innovative trajectories over time and highlight the pivotal role of discussability as an ethical value that fosters open dialogue and constructive controversy, ultimately enhancing IWB in teams.
Keywords: ethical culture, discussability, constructive controversy, innovative work behavior.
