Developing effectuation skills in digitally operating, entrepreneurial teams: the functionality of a multisource assessment system

A structural equation analysis was conducted to analyse the functionality of a self- and multisource peer-assessment methodology targeted at the development of strategic decision-making skills in small entrepreneurial teams. The strategic decision-making skills were operationalised by the effectuation framework. The final model shows that especially the multisource peer-assessment proves to be a valuable source of feedback for the developmental effectiveness, as it is closely related to the accomplishment of making an observable behavioural change. Innovative competencies function as a key variable, mediating the effect on developmental effectiveness of cognitive business skills, networking skills and goal-directed qualities. The results add to the theoretical understandings of the suitability of a self- and multisource peer-assessment as a specific strategic human-resource development methodology targeted at developing effectuation skills. Furthermore, the results show that differences exist in accordance with the actor observer theory, regarding the underlying dimensionality between the self- and the peer-assessment. A multilevel analysis has revealed the existence of a strong team membership-effect on the rated developmental effectiveness. In accordance with the theoretical shared mental models framework, this pinpoints the relevance of a team climate for developing strategic decision-making skills.