Mediating the path to group development and effectiveness: The role of team knowledge management in militarized police

In militarized environments, effective knowledge management is critical for team adaptability and performance under operational challenges. This study examines how team knowledge management processes mediate the relationship between group development and team effectiveness in militarized police teams. This study surveyed 2400 participants from 211 militarized police teams within the Portuguese Guarda Nacional Republicana. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, structural analysis, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The results revealed that knowledge management partially mediated the relationship between group development and effectiveness. Specifically, in early development stages, knowledge management reversed the negative impact on group effectiveness. In later stages, both direct and mediated effects were positive in group effectiveness, highlighting the value of mature team processes and structured knowledge sharing. These findings underscore the importance of targeted strategies to integrate military and policing roles, improve information-sharing mechanisms, and foster adaptability to optimize performance in high-stakes environments. Future research should investigate the long-term effects and intervention-based approaches to enhance these processes.