FEELING KNOWN: A MULTI-LEVEL EXAMINATION OF PERCEIVED EXPERTISE AFFIRMATION IN WORK TEAMS.

The article examines how different factors affect the development of perceived expertise affirmation for individual team members and for teams as a whole. A multilevel model is developed and tested to provide insights into the development and effects of positive identities at work by focusing on the affirmation of expertise as a key component of the positive work identity of employees. The model also aims to delineate factors that motivate individuals in work teams and enhance understanding of how and when teams function effectively. Team-level antecedents are found to help explain how inter-team differences in perceived affirmation develop.