Multilevel Analysis of the Effects of Experiential and Observational Learning on Team Performance

Jiantao Zhu, Bingqing Xiong, Zhao Cai, Eric T.K. Lim, Chee-Wee Tan, Hefu Liu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In spite of competing in an increasingly large number of tournaments, do e-Sports players have the ability to learn and improve on a continuous basis? This question is deeply connected with experiential learning theory because players could acquire experience through repetitive participation with diminishing marginal gains. Observational learning serves as a complementary learning mechanism, allowing players to utilize external sources of knowledge (or others) to accelerate their learning process. This study hence advances a dynamic and integrated research model that scrutinizes peer-and rival-based observational learning as moderators of the influences exerted by experiential learning on incremental absorptive capability and team performance. Analyzing data collected from 78,645 teams and 36,422 players involved in e-Sports games, we revealed that peer-and rival-based observational learning steepen the inverted U-shaped relationship between experiential learning and players' incremental absorptive capability. In addition, peer-based observational learning flattens the U-shaped relationship between experiential learning and team performance, whereas rival-based observational learning steepens the U-shaped relationship between experiential learning and team performance. It is also found that a player's incremental absorptive capability enhances team performance.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Eighty-second Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management
EditorsSonja Taneja
Number of pages1
Place of PublicationBriarcliff Manor, NY
PublisherAcademy of Management
Publication date2022
Pages3944
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
EventThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2022: Creating a Better World Together - Seattle, United States
Duration: 5 Aug 20229 Aug 2022
Conference number: 82
https://2022.aom.org/

Conference

ConferenceThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2022
Number82
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period05/08/202209/08/2022
Internet address
SeriesAcademy of Management Proceedings
ISSN0065-0668

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