To thrive in uncertain and highly competitive environments, firms turn to team-based strategies for creative, knowledge-intensive projects. Against a backdrop of creative industries, the authors take a systems approach to explore the impacts of the socio-structural factors on team innovation and downstream product performance. Using a sampling frame that includes director teams of films released between 2002 and 2011 (accounting for 10,187 directors and 1,128 films), they conduct a two-stage study: 1) a longitudinal analysis of the network structures in Stage 1, and 2) a test of hypotheses in a structural equation model in Stage 2. Results reveal specific network structures that enhance product quality and increase likelihood of product purchase and customer satisfaction. Based on the results, the authors provide actionable strategies for managers and future avenues for scholarly research.
