Interpersonal Trust Predictor of Knowledge Acquisition in Selfmanaging Teams: The Consequences for Performance

Abstract

Although both trust and the ability of employees to work in an autonomous manner are often cited as being essential for effectiveness of self-managed teams, little is known on the effect of interpersonal hust on knowledge acquisition of team members, and the consequences for team performance. A survey of 49 self-managing . teams (239 individuals) was carried out to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of interpersonal trust, knowledge acquisition, and team performance. Overall, findings support that most of interpersonal trust dimensions are positively related to the variables of knowledge acquisition. Moreover, the results showed that the effects of 'interpersonal trust' on team performance to a large extent are mediated by the intervening variables of knowledge acquisition.