Conflict, communication and team collaboration

A comparison of Nigerians and US Americans

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21620153
AutoresWilliam A Donohue (Michigan State University), Deborah A Cai (0000-0002-7759-2628, Temple University), Edward L Fink (0000-0001-6387-5574, Temple University), Etebong Attah Umana (Ebonyi State University)
Ano2023
Volume34
Fascículo4
Páginas649-667
Data de publicação2023-07-18
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Conflict Management (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1044-4068 • E-ISSN: 1758-8545
EditoraEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijcma-07-2022-0123
OpenAlexW4380928103
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas17

Purpose Given the growing relationship between Nigeria and the USA, the purpose of this study is to compare conflict communication of Nigerians and Americans. Design/methodology/approach A total of 186 Nigerians and 214 Americans completed an online survey of Hammer’s (2005) Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory as well as items about the effect of conflict on team collaboration. Findings Contrary to expectations, Nigerians reported using more direct, whereas Americans reported using more indirect, communication when confronting conflict despite the stereotype that Americans are typically direct or more likely to say what is on their minds. However, consistent with expectations, Nigerians reported exercising more emotional restraint, whereas Americans favored the use of emotional expressiveness in conflict. Originality/value Overall, Nigerians were more concerned than Americans about the negative effect of conflict on team collaboration in the workplace. This concern was associated with the use of directness, indirectness and emotional restraint. Further, an exploratory structural equation model showed that the use of emotional expression was affected, in different ways, by several aspects of work and communication. Implications of these results are discussed along with directions for future research

Nigerians · Originality · Political science · Conflict Management and Negotiation · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Psychology · Social Psychology · Team Dynamics and Performance