1

NEW TRENDS IN NEW TRENDS IN ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE

RESEARCH RESEARCH

Vicente González-RomáVicente González-RomáUniversity of ValenciaUniversity of Valencia

SpainSpain

Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, May 31, 2007

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OUTLINEOUTLINE1.1. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

2.2. INITIAL ISSUESINITIAL ISSUES

3.3. CLIMATE AS SHARED PERCPETIONS AND THE CLIMATE AS SHARED PERCPETIONS AND THE ROLE OF WITHIN-UNIT DISPERSIONROLE OF WITHIN-UNIT DISPERSION..

1.1. Composition modelsComposition models..

2.2. Payne’s 3-dimension modelPayne’s 3-dimension model

3.3. Dispersion theory and forms of emergenceDispersion theory and forms of emergence

4.4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYCLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTY

5.5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTHRESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH..

1.1. Climate strength’s influencesClimate strength’s influences..

2.2. Antecedents of climate strengthAntecedents of climate strength

6.6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS.PERCEPTIONS.

7.7. CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

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1. INTRODUCTION 1. INTRODUCTION

Organizational Climate: classic topic in Organizational Climate: classic topic in WOP, but nowadays there is interest in it:WOP, but nowadays there is interest in it: Recent Handbooks: Recent Handbooks:

Ashkanasy, N. M., Wilderom, C. P. M., & Peterson, M. Ashkanasy, N. M., Wilderom, C. P. M., & Peterson, M. F. (2000). F. (2000). Handbook of organizational culture and Handbook of organizational culture and climateclimate. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Cooper, C. L., Cartwright, S. & Earley, P. C. (2001). Cooper, C. L., Cartwright, S. & Earley, P. C. (2001). The International handbook of organizational culture The International handbook of organizational culture and climateand climate. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.

Recent Meta-analyses (Parker et al., 2003, Recent Meta-analyses (Parker et al., 2003, JOB; Carr et al., 2003, JAP)JOB; Carr et al., 2003, JAP)

According to PsycINFO, the number of According to PsycINFO, the number of published studies is increasing.published studies is increasing.

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1. INTRODUCCIÓN 1. INTRODUCCIÓN

64

81 8171 74

99 9681

110

93 95102

152

169

227

0

50

100

150

200

250

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

AÑO

Number of articles in PsycINFO where ‘Organizational climate’ is the major point of the article.

5

1. 1. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

Aims:Aims: To present a new line of research in To present a new line of research in

organizational climate.organizational climate. To propose a conceptualization of To propose a conceptualization of

climate as a configural unit property.climate as a configural unit property. To present some results on the To present some results on the

relationships between within-unit relationships between within-unit dispersion in climate and team dispersion in climate and team processes and outcomes.processes and outcomes.

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2. INITIAL ISSUES.2. INITIAL ISSUES.

ClimateClimate: employees’ perceptions of the social : employees’ perceptions of the social setting of which the person is a part setting of which the person is a part (Rousseau, 1988).(Rousseau, 1988).

In organizations, the social setting may be the In organizations, the social setting may be the work-team, the department, the organization work-team, the department, the organization distinct distinct targetstargets..

FacetsFacets: The content of climate perceptions : The content of climate perceptions clusters on groups of psychologically related clusters on groups of psychologically related events and meanings (support, innovation, events and meanings (support, innovation, service, safety, etc.).service, safety, etc.).

Climate can be Climate can be operationalized at different operationalized at different levelslevels of analysis: of analysis: Individual: psychological climate.Individual: psychological climate. Higher-levels: aggregate climate.Higher-levels: aggregate climate.

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3. CLIMATE AS SHARED PERCPETIONS 3. CLIMATE AS SHARED PERCPETIONS AND THE ROLE OF WITHIN-UNIT AND THE ROLE OF WITHIN-UNIT DISPERSION. DISPERSION. Climate at higher-levels (aggregate climate) is Climate at higher-levels (aggregate climate) is

defined as defined as sharedshared perceptions. perceptions. Within-unit agreement is a Within-unit agreement is a prerequisiteprerequisite for for

arguing that unit climate can be arguing that unit climate can be operationalized and that it exists.operationalized and that it exists.

This approach: This approach: restricts the conceptualization of climaterestricts the conceptualization of climate has hidden the status of has hidden the status of within-unit dispersionwithin-unit dispersion as a as a

scientific construct. scientific construct. Recently Recently A number of conceptual and A number of conceptual and

theoretical proposals have contributed to theoretical proposals have contributed to extending the unit climate concept by extending the unit climate concept by highlighting the role of highlighting the role of within-unit dispersionwithin-unit dispersion in climate perceptions.in climate perceptions.

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3.1. Composition models. 3.1. Composition models. Specify the functional relationships among Specify the functional relationships among

constructs operationalized at different levels of constructs operationalized at different levels of analysis (Chan, 1998; James, 1992).analysis (Chan, 1998; James, 1992).

Chan’s (1998) typology: additive, Chan’s (1998) typology: additive, direct direct consensus, referent-shift consensus, dispersionconsensus, referent-shift consensus, dispersion, , process models. process models.

In In direct consensus direct consensus andand referent-shift referent-shift consensusconsensus models models within-unit agreement is a within-unit agreement is a prerequisiteprerequisite for aggregation. for aggregation.

Dispersion modelsDispersion models: within-unit agreement : within-unit agreement (dispersion) is the (dispersion) is the focal constructfocal construct. . Examples: norm crystallization (Jackson, 1975), Examples: norm crystallization (Jackson, 1975),

mental model sharedness (Mathieu et al., 2005), mental model sharedness (Mathieu et al., 2005), climate strength.climate strength.

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3.2. Payne’s 3-dimension model. 3.2. Payne’s 3-dimension model. Payne (2000, 2001) Payne (2000, 2001)

proposed a 3-dimension proposed a 3-dimension model for analyzing model for analyzing organizational climate and organizational climate and culture. Dimensions:culture. Dimensions: 1. Pervasiveness: range of 1. Pervasiveness: range of

defined and controlled beliefs defined and controlled beliefs and behaviors (narrow-wide)and behaviors (narrow-wide)

2. Psychological intensity: 2. Psychological intensity: target constructs (shallow-target constructs (shallow-deep).deep).

3. 3. Strength of consensus: Strength of consensus: degree of agreement (low-degree of agreement (low-high).high).

Payne (2000) found in a sample of 56 organizations Payne (2000) found in a sample of 56 organizations that the degree of consensus in 17 climate scales that the degree of consensus in 17 climate scales varied notably across organizations.varied notably across organizations.

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3.3. Dispersion theory and forms 3.3. Dispersion theory and forms of emergence. of emergence. Dispersion Theory (TD, Brown & Dispersion Theory (TD, Brown &

Kozlowski, 1999): within-unit dispersion of Kozlowski, 1999): within-unit dispersion of individual-level constructs can be used for individual-level constructs can be used for examining the examining the degree of emergencedegree of emergence of of higher-level constructs.higher-level constructs.

Within-unit dispersion Within-unit dispersion comprises comprises two two dimensions:dimensions: 1. 1. strengthstrength: the degree of within-unit : the degree of within-unit

agreement of the individual-level constructagreement of the individual-level construct 2. 2. uniformityuniformity: the pattern of the individual-level : the pattern of the individual-level

construct at the unit level.construct at the unit level.

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3.3. Dispersion theory and 3.3. Dispersion theory and forms of emergence. forms of emergence.

Four ideal dispersion types (Brown & Kozlowski, 1999).

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3.3. 3.3. Dispersion theory and Dispersion theory and forms of emergence. forms of emergence. In climate research, the role of dispersion In climate research, the role of dispersion

dimensions as scientific constructs has been dimensions as scientific constructs has been neglected for a long time. neglected for a long time.

Researchers have recently begun to study the Researchers have recently begun to study the role of climate strength (the degree of within-role of climate strength (the degree of within-unit agreement in climate perceptions):unit agreement in climate perceptions): Bliese & Halverson, 1998; Lindell & Brandt, 2000; Bliese & Halverson, 1998; Lindell & Brandt, 2000;

Schneider et al., 2002; González-Romá et al., 2002, Schneider et al., 2002; González-Romá et al., 2002, 2005; Colquitt et al.; Zohar & Luria, 2004, 2005; 2005; Colquitt et al.; Zohar & Luria, 2004, 2005; Moliner et al., 2005.Moliner et al., 2005.

Lack of studies about uniformity. Lack of studies about uniformity. Chan (1998) refers to the absence of multimodality Chan (1998) refers to the absence of multimodality

(i.e. subgroups) as a prerequisite for composition in (i.e. subgroups) as a prerequisite for composition in dispersion models.dispersion models.

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3.3. 3.3. Dispersion theory and Dispersion theory and forms of emergence. forms of emergence. Factors to explain this situation:Factors to explain this situation:

Predominance of the Predominance of the integration integration perspectiveperspective: unit climate as shared : unit climate as shared perceptions.perceptions.

A number of factors in real work units A number of factors in real work units promote promote convergenceconvergence of climate of climate perceptions (ASA processes, socialization, perceptions (ASA processes, socialization, social interaction, leadership).social interaction, leadership).

However, there are ‘non-uniform However, there are ‘non-uniform climates’. climates’.

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3.3. 3.3. Dispersion theory and Dispersion theory and forms of emergence. forms of emergence.

UNIDAD 19

0

1

2

3

1 2 3 4 5

CLIMA DE ORIENTACION A OBJETIVOS

FREC

UENC

IA

1,00 2,00 3,00 4,00 5,00

Clima organizacional AI

0

1

2

3

4

5

Fre

cuen

cia

Mean = 3,4808Std. Dev. = 1,09669N = 13

Clima organizacional AI

Observed non-uniform climates

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3.3. 3.3. Dispersion theory and Dispersion theory and forms of emergence. forms of emergence. We know very little about this type of We know very little about this type of

climates.climates. What factors promote these patterns of What factors promote these patterns of

climate perceptions? climate perceptions? Demographic diversityDemographic diversity Leader-member interactionLeader-member interaction

What are their influences on unit What are their influences on unit processes and outcomes? processes and outcomes? ConflictConflict CommunicationCommunication PerformancePerformance

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3.4. 3.4. Summary. Summary. To promote research on these issues To promote research on these issues

we need a we need a broaderbroader conceptualization conceptualization of unit climate.of unit climate.

The conceptual and theoretical The conceptual and theoretical contributions presented above call for contributions presented above call for the consideration of the consideration of within-unit within-unit dispersiondispersion in climate perceptions. in climate perceptions.

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4. 4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYUNIT PROPERTY ..

Unit climate: the Unit climate: the patternpattern of employees’ of employees’ perceptions of their unit.perceptions of their unit.

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4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT 4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYPROPERTY Assumption: climate may emerge as a Assumption: climate may emerge as a configurational configurational

propertyproperty adopting different shapes, following a adopting different shapes, following a compilation processcompilation process of emergence; not only as a of emergence; not only as a shared shared propertyproperty following a following a composition processcomposition process of emergence. of emergence.

Kozlowski & Klein (2000): Kozlowski & Klein (2000): 3 types of unit-level 3 types of unit-level constructsconstructs:: GlobalGlobal unit propertiesunit properties: originate and are manifest at : originate and are manifest at

the unit level (unit size, unit function); single-level the unit level (unit size, unit function); single-level phenomenaphenomena..

Shared unit propertiesShared unit properties: originate at lower levels, but : originate at lower levels, but are manifest as higher-level phenomena; describe are manifest as higher-level phenomena; describe the characteristics that are common to the members the characteristics that are common to the members of a unit. of a unit.

Configural unit propertiesConfigural unit properties: originate at lower levels, : originate at lower levels, but are manifest as higher-level phenomena; capture but are manifest as higher-level phenomena; capture the pattern of individual-level phenomena within a the pattern of individual-level phenomena within a unit. unit.

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4. 4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYPROPERTY Kozlowski & Klein (2000): 2 reference types of

emergence: Composition: the type and amount of

individual-level phenomena (cognition, perception, affect, behavior) are similar for all unit members.

Compilation: either the amount or type of individual-level phenomena is different, or both the amount and type are different.

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4. 4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYUNIT PROPERTY

If climate is conceptualized as a configural unit If climate is conceptualized as a configural unit property, the pattern of strong similarity that has property, the pattern of strong similarity that has dominated research in the field is one of the dominated research in the field is one of the possible observable patterns. possible observable patterns.

““A given phenomenon or construct domain does A given phenomenon or construct domain does not necessarily have to exhibit a universal form of not necessarily have to exhibit a universal form of emergence; that is, a given emergent emergence; that is, a given emergent phenomenon may be the results of composition phenomenon may be the results of composition processes in one situation and of compilation processes in one situation and of compilation processes in another” (Kozlowski & Klein, 2000, processes in another” (Kozlowski & Klein, 2000, p. 59).p. 59).

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4. 4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYUNIT PROPERTYImplications:Implications: All units have climate as a higher-level property. All units have climate as a higher-level property. To describe unit climate, we have to consider:To describe unit climate, we have to consider:

UniformityUniformity StrengthStrength LocalizationLocalization

Other contributions in this direction:Other contributions in this direction: Lindell, M. K. & Brandt, C. J. (2000, JAP): Dissensus Lindell, M. K. & Brandt, C. J. (2000, JAP): Dissensus

does not imply that climate does not exists.does not imply that climate does not exists. Ostroff, Kinicki & Tamkins (2003): variability in Ostroff, Kinicki & Tamkins (2003): variability in

fundamental elements may not necessarily lead to fundamental elements may not necessarily lead to lack of emergence of a higher-level property.lack of emergence of a higher-level property.

Roberson, Q. M. & Colquitt, J. A. (2005). Shared and Roberson, Q. M. & Colquitt, J. A. (2005). Shared and configural justice: A social network model of justice in configural justice: A social network model of justice in teams. teams. Academy of Management Review, 3Academy of Management Review, 3, 595-607., 595-607.

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4. 4. CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT CLIMATE AS A CONFIGURAL UNIT PROPERTYPROPERTY

Research questions:Research questions: What factors contribute to shaping What factors contribute to shaping

work-units’ climate? work-units’ climate? What are the consequences of different What are the consequences of different

climate configurations?climate configurations?

By studying climate strength’s role in the unit climate-unit outcomes relationship, recent empirical research has begun to pay attention to the pattern of climate perceptions within work units.

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..

Performance

Absenteeism

Satisfaction

Commitment

Burnout

Service quality

Unit climate

Climate strength

González-Romá, Peiró & Tordera (2002), Schneider, Salvaggio & Subirats (2002), Colquitt, Noe & Jackson (2002), González-Romá & West (2003), González-Romá, Fortes, Peiró & Gamero (2005); Moliner, Martínez-Tur, Peiró, Ramos & Cropanzano (2005).

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..González-Romá et al.’s (2005) study

TEAM CLIMATE

TEAM PERFORMANCE

CLIMATE STRENGTH

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..González-Romá et al.’s (2005) study

The moderator influence of climate The moderator influence of climate strength is based on Mischel’s (1973) strength is based on Mischel’s (1973) concept of situational strength:concept of situational strength: the degree of ambiguity presented in the the degree of ambiguity presented in the

contextcontext STRONG SITUATIONS:STRONG SITUATIONS:

Lead persons to interpret events in a Lead persons to interpret events in a similar waysimilar way

Induce uniform expectancies regarding Induce uniform expectancies regarding the most appropriate behaviorthe most appropriate behavior

Behavioral variability will be smallBehavioral variability will be small Behavior is more predictableBehavior is more predictable

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..

1

2

3

4

5

1 2 3 4 5 6

Innovation climate

Me

mb

ers

' pe

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ive

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ea

m

pe

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HIGH CS

LOW CS

González-Romá et al.’s (2005) study

1

2

3

4

5

1 2 3 4 5 6

Innovation climate

Man

ager

per

ceiv

ed t

eam

p

erfo

rman

ce

HIGH CS

LOW CS

-0,6

-0,4

-0,2

0

0,2

0,4

0,6

1 2 3 4 5 6

Innovation climate

Fin

anci

al t

eam

per

form

ance

HIGH CS

LOW CS

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..Bliese & Halverson’s (1998) study:

Lack of consensus Stressful work environments Well-being

CLIMATE STRENGTH

Leadership climate

Peer relations

UNIT PSYCHOLOGICAL

WELL-BEING

+

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..Bliese & Britt’s (2001) study:

WORK STRESSORS

INDIVIDUAL MORALE

CLIMATE STRENGTH Leadership

climate

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.1. Climate strength’s influences5.1. Climate strength’s influences..Are other forms of relationship plausible?The case of team innovation

Climate strength

-.2-.4-.6-.8-1.0-1.2

Qua

lity

of in

nova

tions

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

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5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE 5. RESEARCH ON CLIMATE STRENGTH.STRENGTH.5.2. Antecedents of climate strength5.2. Antecedents of climate strength..

Demographic diversity

Leader-member interaction

Interaction among team members

Supervisors’ behavioral patterns (simplicity, variability, visibility)

Organizational type (Mechanistic vs. Organic)

Climate strength

Naumann & Bennett, 2000; Klein, Conn, Smith & Sorra (2001); Colquitt, Noe & Jackson (2002), González-Romá, Peiró & Tordera (2002), González-Romá & West (2003), Zohar & Luria (2004, 2005); Dickson, Resick & Hanges, 2006.

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.1. Introduction.6.1. Introduction. Lack of studies.Lack of studies. Why are these studies necessary?Why are these studies necessary?

Climate strength (CS) only conveys part Climate strength (CS) only conveys part of the information about climate of the information about climate configuration.configuration.

The same CS value may show different The same CS value may show different forms.forms.

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.1. Introduction.6.1. Introduction.

0

1

2

3

1 2 3 4 5

X

Fre

q

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 1,6 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,4 5

XF

req

Configurations with VAR (X) = 2

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.1. Introduction.6.1. Introduction.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 2 3 4 5

X

Freq

Configurations with VAR (X) = 1

0

1

2

3

4

5

1,3 2 3 4 4,7

X

Freq

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.1. Introduction.6.1. Introduction. Research question: What are the Research question: What are the

influences of uniform and non-influences of uniform and non-uniform climate configurations on uniform climate configurations on team processes and team outcomes? team processes and team outcomes?

In this study we identified 3 levels In this study we identified 3 levels for uniformity:for uniformity: UniformUniform Non-uniform (2 sub-groups)Non-uniform (2 sub-groups) Non-uniform (1 sub-group)Non-uniform (1 sub-group)

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.1. Introduction.6.1. Introduction. Hypotheses:Hypotheses:

Non-Uniform configurations:Non-Uniform configurations: More (task & relationship) conflict and More (task & relationship) conflict and

tension tension Less communication quality and optimismLess communication quality and optimism

Considering that a given within-unit Considering that a given within-unit dispersion value may adopt different dispersion value may adopt different forms, the relationship between climate forms, the relationship between climate strength and team processes & outcomes strength and team processes & outcomes will depend on uniformity:will depend on uniformity: The relationship will be more dysfunctional The relationship will be more dysfunctional

when the configuration is non-uniform.when the configuration is non-uniform.

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.2. Method: Sample.6.2. Method: Sample. Teams: 193 bank branches.Teams: 193 bank branches. Team size: average = 4.6 (SD = 1.8)Team size: average = 4.6 (SD = 1.8) Subjects: 846 team members.Subjects: 846 team members.

Response rate: 95.4%Response rate: 95.4% 55% men; 2/3 between 25-45 years 55% men; 2/3 between 25-45 years

old.old.

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.2. Method: Measures.6.2. Method: Measures. Team climate: 4 facets:Team climate: 4 facets:

Support from the organization: 4 items, Support from the organization: 4 items, =.81 =.81

Innovation: 4 items, Innovation: 4 items, = .78. = .78. Goal achievement: 4 items, Goal achievement: 4 items, = .83. = .83. Enabling formalization: 4 items, Enabling formalization: 4 items, = .84. = .84.

Climate strength: Climate strength: Average Deviation Index • (-1)Average Deviation Index • (-1)

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.2. Method: Measures.6.2. Method: Measures. Uniformity in team climate configurations:Uniformity in team climate configurations:

UniformUniform Non-uniform (2 sub-groups)Non-uniform (2 sub-groups) Non-uniform (1 sub-group)Non-uniform (1 sub-group)

2 dummy variables (comparison group: 2 dummy variables (comparison group: uniform) uniform)

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.2. Method: Measures.6.2. Method: Measures. Team Conflict:Team Conflict:

Task: 6 items, Task: 6 items, =.89 =.89 Relationship: 4 items, Relationship: 4 items, = .90 = .90

Quality of communication: 5 itemsQuality of communication: 5 items, , = = .90.90 Team mood: Team mood:

Tension: 6 items, Tension: 6 items, = .90 = .90 Optimism: 6 items, Optimism: 6 items, = .91 = .91

Aggregation at the team level was justified.Aggregation at the team level was justified.

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.2. Method: Analysis.6.2. Method: Analysis. Team level.Team level. Hierarchical regression analysis.Hierarchical regression analysis. Steps:Steps:

Average climate as a controlAverage climate as a control Climate strengthClimate strength Dummies for uniformityDummies for uniformity Interaction term: climate strength * Interaction term: climate strength *

uniformityuniformity

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.3. Results.6.3. Results.SUPPORT

SUPPORT Δ in R2

Regression term Task conflict Relationship c. Communication Tension OptimismUniformity (dummies) ,03* ,03* ,03*

Non-uniform configurations:

Less communication quality

Less optimism

More tension

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.3. Results.6.3. Results.GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

Non-uniform configurations:

Less optimism

More tension

GOAL ACHIEVEMENT Δ in R2

Regression term Task conflict Relationship c. Communication Tension OptimismUniformity (dummies) ,03* ,04**

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6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN 6. A STUDY ON UNIFORMITY IN TEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONSTEAM CLIMATE PERCEPTIONS 6.3. Results.6.3. Results.INNOVATION

When the configuration is Non-uniform (2 sub-groups):

Climate strength shows a significant negative relationship with task and relationship conflict.

INNOVATION Δ in R2

Regression term Task conflict Relationship c. Communication Tension OptimismInteraction term ,03* ,02*

Uniformity does not show significant relationships for enabling formalization.

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7. CONCLUSIONS7. CONCLUSIONS

To better understand the role of unit climate we To better understand the role of unit climate we need a broader conceptualization need a broader conceptualization climate as climate as configural unit property.configural unit property.

Implications for research:Implications for research: A new area of research focused on climate A new area of research focused on climate

configurations. Lack of studies.configurations. Lack of studies. Empirical evidence on climate strength Empirical evidence on climate strength models of unit models of unit

climate should pay attention to within-unit dispersion.climate should pay attention to within-unit dispersion. Do not remove units with low climate strength (ask why, Do not remove units with low climate strength (ask why,

reduced sample size, restriction of range)reduced sample size, restriction of range) Implications for practice:Implications for practice:

Climate surveys: The mean is not enough (only at the Climate surveys: The mean is not enough (only at the extremes!).extremes!).

The SD may not be enough.The SD may not be enough. The analysis of within-unit climate configurations yields The analysis of within-unit climate configurations yields

a more detailed diagnosis.a more detailed diagnosis.

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Thank you very much

Vicente.Glez-Roma@uv.es

University of Valencia