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Multiple Team Memberships and Employee Well-Being: Exploring Polychronicity and Support as Moderators

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Abstract

To better understand the implications of multiple team membership (MTM) for employee well-being, we explored: (1) how MTM relates to stress and engagement; (2) demands as an underlying mediator; and (3) polychronicity and instrumental support as moderators. Participants who were full-time employees completed an online survey regarding their experiences with MTM. Results showed MTM predicted greater stress through increased demands, but individuals higher on polychronicity were less likely to experience these negative consequences. Interestingly, demands related positively to engagement, suggesting those associated with MTM may be beneficial (e.g., perceived as challenges rather than hindrances). Contrary to expectations, instrumental support did not buffer MTM’s relationship with demands. These findings expand the literatures on teams and employee well-being, and provide practical insights for organizations utilizing MTM structures.

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Finuf, K.D., Sachdev, A.R. & Grossman, R. Multiple Team Memberships and Employee Well-Being: Exploring Polychronicity and Support as Moderators. Occup Health Sci 6, 183–205 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-022-00109-9

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