INNOVATION IN WORK TEAMS

We review the literature on innovation in work teams published in the last years with the intention of ascertaining the factors that play a role in the innovation process. According to theoretical models and the results of empirical studies, those factors are the following: Task characteristics, external demands, team composition, a number o f team states and processes (task orientation, shared objectives and vision, cooperative relationships, reflexivity, participation, support for innovation, and conflict management), and leadership. We also stress the need of more research on the consequences of team innovation.