Shaping a diverse network to achieve better work outcomes : A weekly diary study and a self-training intervention

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Abstract

While social networks are known to be critical for enhancing employees’ work outcomes, how employees proactively shape their networks has not been studied extensively. This study developed a weekly diary study and a self-training intervention study to investigate how employees can make use of diverse networks on their weekly work basis; and can we train employees to shape their diverse networks, so that they can gain better work outcomes? In Study 1, we recruited 368 medical employees over four consecutive weeks. The results showed that weekly proactive use of diverse networks were positively related to employee weekly task performance and creativity through increasing weekly work engagement. In Study 2, we conducted a field experiment including 88 participants in the experimental group and 59 participants in the control group. The results showed that after the intervention, participants reported an increase in three trained networking-based behaviors . Moreover, through the three trained networking behaviors, the intervention had an indirect positive effect on network diversity, task performance, and creativity. Using the mixed research design, we provide more nuanced insights into how employees can capitalize on their professional networks to diversify their interpersonal resources and excel at work. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jun 2023
EventThe 10th Biennial IACMR Conference : Globalization in Flux : China and the World = 第十屆中國管理研究國際學會會議 : 動盪中的全球化 : 中國與世界 - , Hong Kong
Duration: 14 Jun 202318 Jun 2023

Conference

ConferenceThe 10th Biennial IACMR Conference : Globalization in Flux : China and the World = 第十屆中國管理研究國際學會會議 : 動盪中的全球化 : 中國與世界
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
Period14/06/2318/06/23

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