Exeter Centre for Social Networks Research Seminar with with Velvetina Lim

Spotting Novelty: How Tertius Iungens Brokers Recognize Novel Ideas

Abstract:

People often overlook novel ideas despite their potential for substantial impact. Brokers are crucial in many parts of the creative process, but missing from the picture is whether and when they can recognize which ideas are novel to others. In this paper, we focus on how tertius iungens, a behavioral form of brokering that involves bringing people together, relates to novelty recognition. We propose that tertius iungens brokers tend to excel at novelty recognition, especially when they are motivated to learn. In two multi-source field surveys and two quasi-experiments, tertius iungens brokers received higher supervisor ratings for novelty recognition and also performed better in direct measures of recognizing novel ideas. Importantly, novelty recognition was enhanced among tertius iungens brokers with a high learning orientation. Collectively, these findings highlight the valuable role that tertius iungens brokers play in recognizing novel ideas, especially those with a high learning orientation.

If you would like the MS Teams link please email T.M.Welch@exeter.ac.uk