Considering context in team diversity research: A meta-analytic review

Integrating both macro and micro theoretical perspectives, we conducted a meta-analysis examining the role of contextual factors in team diversity research. Using data from 7,575 teams across 32 studies conducted in organizational settings, we examined whether contextual factors at multiple levels including industry, occupation and team levels influenced the performance outcomes of relations-oriented and task-oriented diversity. Our findings revealed that although the direct effects of relations-oriented and task-oriented diversity on performance were significant, these effects were small and, after accounting for industry, occupational, and team-level contextual moderators, tripled in size. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.