Specific Human Capital as a Source of Superior Team Performance
Schmalenbach Business Review, Vol. 69, pp. 376-392, 2011
25 Pages Posted: 17 Nov 2010 Last revised: 25 Oct 2011
Date Written: November 10, 2009
Abstract
In this paper, we empirically investigate the performance effect of team-specific human capital in highly interactive teams. Based on the tenets of the resource-based view of the firm and on the ideas of typical learning functions, we hypothesize that team members’ shared experience in working together positively impacts team performance, but at diminishing rates. Holding a team’s stock of general human capital and other potential drivers constant, we find support for this prediction. Implications concerning investment decisions into human capital as well as the transferability of our findings to other contexts are discussed.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation