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Exploring the impact of specialist and generalist stars on organizational performance

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  • Georgios Nalbantis
  • Christian Manger
  • Tim Pawlowski
  • Philip Yang

Abstract

We analyze the impact of specialist and generalist stars on organizational performance by linking the literature on star employees and specialization. Our adaptive role framework allows stars to switch roles over time. We develop a game-theoretical model to derive hypotheses and to empirically test them using basketball data. Consistent with theoretical predictions, the results show that teams with generalist stars outperform those with specialists. While a generalist switching to a specialist role always worsens performance, a specialist switching to a generalist role may improve performance. Additional estimations suggest that these findings hold for teams relying on a unique star rather than multiple stars.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgios Nalbantis & Christian Manger & Tim Pawlowski & Philip Yang, 2026. "Exploring the impact of specialist and generalist stars on organizational performance," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 21(5), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0349682
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0349682
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary S. Becker, 1964. "Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education, First Edition," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number beck-5.
    2. Jonah Berger & Devin Pope, 2011. "Can Losing Lead to Winning?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 57(5), pages 817-827, May.
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