UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

Examining the Impact of Team Communication Practices within Innovative R&D Teams

This study is undertaken with the aim of looking at team communication practices
amongst innovative research and development (R&D) teams. Innovation in R&D
involves the processing and transformation of new knowledge into a commercially
viable outcome. Hence, communication is seen as an effective mechanism to
translate, share and integrate these new knowledge or information in creating new
products or technologies. For the purpose of this study, team communication practices
(boundary spanning, communication safety, team reflexivity and task communication)
will be examined in terms of its influence on team innovativeness. Therefore, your
participation in this study is very much appreciated to assist the study in understanding
the impact of team communication practices on R&D team, which is vital in explaining
the dynamics of team communication of innovative R&D teams. For your information,
all responses will be treated in confidential manners and data will be tabulated as well
as reported in an aggregated approach, hence, making your response anonymous to
the public.



















Part A: Demographic Background of Researcher
Please write/circle the most appropriate answer.

1. Level of education:
Bachelor Degree Master Degree
PhD Others: ______________ (specify)

2. Years of experience in research:
Less than 5 years 5 10 years
10 15 years 15 20 years
More than 20 years

3. Experience in leading a research project:
(If the answer is no, go straight to part B)
Yes No

4. Experience in leading/participating in international research project:
Yes No

5. Types of research grant currently leading:
(Respondents can select more than one answer):
Short-term Grant Fundamental Research Grant
Exploratory Research Prototype Research Grant
Grant
Long-term Research E-Science Fund
Grant
Others: (specify) ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

6. Types of research grant previously led:
(Respondents can select more than one answer):
Short-term Grant Fundamental Research Grant
Exploratory Research Prototype Research Grant
Grant

Long-term Research E-Science Fund
Grant
Others: (specify) ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________






































N/A
Part B: This part deals with team communication practices within R&D teams which are
crucial in enabling the interchange of information and the coordination of tasks within
the team. Four elements of team communication are presented in this part namely
boundary spanning, communication safety, reflexivity and task communication.

The ratings of the answer for the four elements are operationalised as follows:
1 = Strongly Disagree 2 = Disagree
3 = Agree 4 = Strongly Agree

Please select only one answer.



Boundary Spanning

1

2

3

4


1.

When necessary, team members consult with individuals
who possess knowledge relevant to the project.



2.

Team members scan the environment inside and outside
the organization for technical ideas and expertise.



3.

Team members seek relevant information from across the
organization.



4.

Team members have access to individuals who possess
technical expertise relevant to the project.






Communication Safety


1

2

3

4


1.

If a problem is encountered, members constructively
discuss appropriate actions.



2.

Important decisions about the project are made by limited
numbers of the team.




3.

The input of all members is considered. If a problem is
encountered all members are involved in its resolution.



4.

Team members can express their views openly.


5.

Ideas are openly evaluated by team members.



6.

Team members do not express their opinions for fear of
recrimination or conflict.



7.

Within the team, members raise questions when confused
or uncertain of an issue.



8.

There is destructive rivalry between members of the team.



9.

Members jockey to control the decisions of the team.



10.

To obtain resources or support, members form coalitions
with others.



11.

Meetings are characterized by arguments between
different coalitions within the team.



Reflexivity


1

2

3

4

1.

The team steps back from daily routines to consider
whether the methods used are the best available.



2.

The team often reviews its objectives.



3.

The methods used by the team are often discussed.



4.

The team regularly considers whether work performed
meets project objectives.



5.

We regularly discuss whether the team is working effectively
together.



6.

How well we communicate information is often discussed.



7.

The way decisions are made in this team is rarely altered.



Task Communication



1.

Team members have a clear understanding of project
objectives.



2.

Project objectives are understood by all members.



3.

There is a lack of clarity concerning project priorities.



4.

Project objectives are clearly communicated to all
members.



5.

The team receives clear feedback regarding the projects
performance.



6.

Team members receive clear feedback regarding the
quality of project work.



7.

Team members have a clear understanding of the
expectations of funding agencies.



8.

The team discusses project objectives with funding
agencies.



9.

Funding agencies provide clear directions concerning
desired project outcomes.



10.

The team receives frequent feedback from funding
agencies.












Part C: This part deals with the effectiveness of communication activities within R&D
team that integrate members of the team and connect the team with external
stakeholder related to the team and the project being undertaken.

The ratings of the answer are operationalised as follows:

The ratings of the answer for the four elements are operationalised as follows:
1 = Strongly Disagree 2 = Disagree
3 = Agree 4 = Strongly Agree

Please select only one answer.



Communication Effectiveness

1

2

3

4


1.

The team members are very well informed about what is
going on with our research updates and development.



2.

The team members are briefed about the research
concepts and recommendations in a meaningful way.



3.

There is no hesitation for members to receive as much
information as they like to have.



4.

There is no hesitation for members to know the pros and
cons of the suggestions he/she recommends to me.



5.

There is a high frequency of communication between
team members.



6.

There is a dedicated gatekeeper as a technology
consultant bridging effective information sources internally
and externally.












Part D: This part deals with performance of R&D team when undertaking R&D projects.

The ratings of the answer are operationalised as follows:

The ratings of the answer for the four elements are operationalised as follows:
1 = Highly Dissatisfactory 2 = Dissatisfactory
3 = Satisfactory 4 = Highly Satisfactory

Please select only one answer.



The performance of our R&D team in terms of


1

2

3

4

1.

the ability to agree upon and meet requirements of the
project.



2.

timeliness in meeting the project milestones.



3.

timeliness in meeting project completions.



4.

the communication of the project status.



5.

the effectiveness of the plans provided.



6.

prioritising activities and projects.



7.

improvement suggestions by team members.



8.

scientific excellence of the new ideas identified per year.



9.

new processes and significant enhancements.




10.

the number of trained talents.



11.

the quality of trained talents.




This section of performance asks about the estimation of output being produced by the R&D
team.

11. The number of publications per project: 3

12. The number of citations of the members publications:

13. The number of new ideas produced a year: 2

14. The number of patents pending/registered: -

15. The number of patent applications that resulted in registered patents: -


- Thank You!!! -