Mean Positive Affect (PA) Can Bring out Both the Best and the Worst in PA Diversity

We propose that affective traits, an important aspect of personality, influence top management team (TMT) behavioral integration. We analyze data from 148 TMTs including 879 TMT members in 148 private firms from mainland China. We find that TMT diversity in positive affect (PA diversity) has an inverted U-shaped relationship with TMT behavioral integration. Moreover, TMT mean PA interacts with PA diversity. Specifically, the relationship between PA diversity and TMT behavioral integration has an inverted U-shape when TMT mean PA is low; the relationship is monotonic and has a positive, inverted U-shape when TMT mean PA is moderate; the relationship is monotonic and has a positive, upright U-shape when TMT mean PA is high. Our findings broaden the understanding of how personality factors may influence TMT processes.