Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons^™

The Effects Of Conflict Type And Conflict Expression Intensity On Conflict Management, Gergana Todorova, Kenneth T. Goh, Laurie Weingart

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Purpose: This paper aims to add to the current knowledge about conflict management by examining the relationships between conflict type, conflict expression intensity and the use of the conflict management approach. Design/methodology/approach: The authors test theory-based hypotheses using a field study of new product development teams in an interdisciplinary Masters program (Study 1) and an experimental vignette study (Study 2). Findings: Results show that people are more likely to respond to task conflict and conflicts expressed with less intensity using collectivistic conflict management approaches (i.e. problem-solving, compromising and yielding), and to relationship conflicts and conflicts expressed with higher intensity through …