Student innovation capability in virtual team projects: lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic era

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine students' innovation capability in virtual team projects from the COVID-19 pandemic era. Design/methodology/approach The researchers conducted an empirical study and the data were collected from a total of 308 participants engaging in virtual team projects. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the relationship of the conceptual framework. Findings The findings showed that virtual team culture positively influenced propensity to innovate. Also, knowledge management and communication influenced propensity to innovate through the mediation of support for innovation. Practical implications Developing a strategy for propensity to innovate in any organization demands that project team members should be able to seamlessly communicate. Developing knowledge management, communication and support for innovation strategy in a virtual team may prepare an organization for permanently different post-pandemic events and the future turbulent business environment. Originality/value This study highlights innovation capability for the propensity to innovate, a topic that is not widely researched, especially in the context of virtual teams.