The effects of gender diversity and cognitive diversity on team performance in Japanese R&D teams including the effect of shared leadership as a moderator

This study examined the influence of gender diversity and cognitive diversity on R&D team performance in Japan. The potential effects of both information elaboration and relational conflict were studied as possible mediating influences on the diversity-performance relationship. In addition, the possible moderating influences on the relationship between both diversities and both mediators were examined. It was found that both types of diversity had positive impacts as well as negative impacts on R&D team performance through information elaboration and relational conflict. Both types had positive impacts on information elaboration and relational conflict; information elaboration had a positive impact on R&D team performance while relational conflict had a negative impact on it. Furthermore, shared leadership promoted the relationship between both types of diversity and information elaboration; however, it hindered the relationship between both types of diversity and relational conflict. The results were deliberated within the broader context of Japan's unique work culture.