Mechanism to enhance team creative performance through social media: A Transactive memory system approach

Research on social media as a source of knowledge coordination and communication has been flourishing. Organizations are increasingly focusing on teamwork as a creative solution for contemporary market challenges. In this study, we develop a mechanism to test the effects of the three dimensions of social media (social, cognitive, and hedonic use) on team creative performance in terms of knowledge management. Our survey data are collected from 382 members of 82 knowledge work teams. The analysis reveals that the three dimensions of social media have different effects on the transactive memory system. In addition, the dimensions of the transactive memory system enhance team creative performance through team creative efficacy. These findings bridge a literature gap by explaining the process and mechanism by which different social media uses influence team creative performance. This study has practical implications among organizations that aim to use social media to utilize each team member's expert knowledge to boost creative performance. •A framework to enhance team creative performance through social media is defined.•Social media dimensions differ in their impact on knowledge management in knowledge work teams.•A well-developed transactive memory system is essential for team creative efficacy to generate creative solutions.•Effective coordination and trust among team members enhances the team creative efficacy.