LAUSR

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of task interdependence and cooperative conflicts on the members of the research and development (R&D) engineering teams of consumer electronics manufacturers in Greater China. Questionnaires and interviews were administered to 283 R&D engineering teams; the results were calculated and analyzed. Subsequently, we categorised the teams according to various kinds of task interdependence before analyzing 32 cases of product development performed by these teams and investigating cooperation and conflict among team members. The results revealed four categories of task interdependence, namely reason and pragmatics, speed and efficiency, trust and mutual assistance, and institutional professionalism. Engineering design teams featuring different categories of task interdependence exhibit differing combinations of team cooperation, team conflict, loyalty, and work values. Few studies have addressed conflict and cooperation among engineering designers within teams; the current study fills this research gap and offers specific recommendations for R&D management practices.