Creative brains: how does knowledge flow in the team? Team knowledge flow patterns and the role of interbrain synchronization during team idea generation

Purpose The essence of team creativity lies in promoting the flow and integration of knowledge among members. Dividing the team creative process into fixed and sequential stages inadequately captures the complexity of its knowledge flow. It is essential to investigate the types of knowledge used in the team’s idea generation process. Methods such as questionnaires or self-reports cannot precisely capture the behavioral characteristics of the team. Instead, more objective indicators of neural activity may address the shortcomings. Therefore, this study aims to examine the patterns of team knowledge flow and corresponding neural underpinnings during team idea generation. Design/methodology/approach A coding scheme for team knowledge flow from the perspective of creative cognition was proposed. Through experiments, valid data from 11 different teams were collected. Through behavioral coding and lag sequential analysis, this study attempts to find whether there exist patterns of knowledge flow in the process of team idea generation. Finally, interbrain synchronization (IBS) was quantified using phase locking value using electroencephalogram hyperscanning to explore the neural underpinnings of knowledge flow patterns. Findings Through lag sequential analysis, this study identifies four knowledge flow patterns, one fixed idea expression pattern and two feedback patterns (positive and negative feedback patterns) in the process of team idea generation. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that the “declarative knowledge → strategic knowledge” pattern has a significant effect on the IBS in the delta band, while the “procedural knowledge → declarative knowledge” and “procedural knowledge → strategic knowledge” patterns both have significant effects on the IBS in the alpha band. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of how knowledge is transformed into ideas in the team creative process. The authors clarify both knowledge flow patterns and specific behaviors from a dynamic perspective. Furthermore, evidence from the field of neuroscience highlights that human behavior is determined by the brain. Based on the findings, team managers can clearly understand when and how team members use their knowledge during team creative activities to manage knowledge activities more effectively.