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Irshad, Muhammad Shahzaib (2025) Assess the Impact of Innovation Style Diversity on Team Performance A Case Study of the Information and Communication Technology Sector in Ireland. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
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Abstract
This dissertation investigates the influence of innovation style diversity on team performance within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Ireland. Innovation style diversity refers to varied cognitive and problem-solving approaches within teams, encompassing analytical, collaborative, visionary, experimental, and process-oriented tendencies. The study examines its impact on creativity, adaptability, solution quality, and speed while identifying associated benefits, challenges, and management strategies. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured online survey completed by 20 ICT professionals from multinational corporations and startups. The survey measured participants’ dominant innovation styles, perceived team diversity, and performance outcomes. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were applied to identify relationships between diversity and performance variables.
Findings indicate significant but weak positive correlations between innovation style diversity and creativity (p = 0.043), solution quality (p = 0.047), and adaptability (p = 0.049), while no significant effect was found on speed (p = 0.591). Reported benefits included increased innovation output, faster adaptation to challenges, improved collaboration, and a broader range of ideas. Challenges centered on process misalignment, miscommunication, and decision-making conflicts, although 40% of respondents reported no major issues. Effective management strategies included structured innovation processes (e.g., agile, design thinking), targeted training, and task allocation based on individual strengths.
The research contributes to understanding cognitive diversity’s role in high-velocity, innovation-driven sectors, providing theoretical support for cognitive diversity models and practical guidance for leveraging diverse innovation approaches. Limitations include the small sample size, reliance on self-reported data, minor deviations from the original innovation style framework, and sectoral scope confined to Ireland. Recommendations for future research include larger, more diverse samples, mixed-method approaches, sectoral comparisons, and longitudinal studies. The findings underscore that innovation style diversity is not inherently advantageous but can become a strategic asset when supported by inclusive leadership, structured processes, and a culture of collaboration.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Name Email Syed, Muslim Jammel UNSPECIFIED |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QA Mathematics > Computer software > Communications software T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Computer software > Communications software H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > Ireland |
| Divisions: | School of Business (- 2025) > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management |
| Depositing User: | Ciara O'Brien |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Dec 2025 16:15 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2025 16:15 |
| URI: | https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9006 |
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