“Does passion matter for team Innovation? The conditional indirect effects of team harmonious versus obsessive passion via team reflexivity,” published in Personnel Psychology.

Our latest research, now published in the Summer Issue of Personnel Psychology, examines the intriguing dynamics of team passion and innovation. In a nutshell, our study delves into how the type of passion team members have for innovation—whether it's harmonious or obsessive—affects the team’s ability to reflect, adapt, and ultimately, innovate. Through two field studies involving over 280 teams, we discovered that harmonious passion leads to a more collaborative and innovative team environment, while obsessive passion, if not balanced properly, can pose challenges.

How Passion Drives or Derails Team Innovation

New research by Hui Liao at the Smith School reveals that obsessive passion in teams can stifle innovation by hindering reflection and flexibility. In contrast, harmonious passion promotes team reflexivity and fosters greater innovation.

21 Smith School Professors Named Among Top 2% Scholars Worldwide

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business faculty shapes future leaders in classrooms and drives global impact through groundbreaking research. Recently, 21 professors were ranked among the top 2% most-cited scholars worldwide by Elsevier. Explore their influential contributions elevating knowledge and inspiring the next generation of business leaders.

When the Award Goes to … Someone Else

In new research in the Academy of Management Journal, Hui Liao and her co-authors look at how the experience of almost winning impacts the performance of nominees, specifically their collaboration with others.

25 Maryland Smith Professors Named Among Top 2% Worldwide

A study of the world’s top researchers identifies 25 from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business in the top 2% of the most-cited scholars and scientists worldwide.

18 Maryland Smith Professors Named Among Top 2% Worldwide

A study of the world’s top researchers identifies 18 from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business in the top 2% of the most-cited scholars and scientists worldwide.

Chen, Liao Named AOM Fellows

Maryland Smith professors Gilad Chen and

American Psychological Association Honors Hui Liao

Hui Liao, the endowed Smith Dean’s Professor in Leadership and Management at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, has been selected as a fellow by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. “This prestigious honor is in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the profession of industrial and organizational psychology and is awarded to only a few select recipients,” the fellowship committee wrote in its notification letter.

Fearless Idea 15: Break the Spiral of Abuse

SMITH BRAIN TRUST — An abusive boss can make work miserable for anyone, prompting defiant employees to retaliate or flee. New research co-authored by Hui Liao at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business shows a third option.

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