Conflict, communication and team collaboration

A comparison of Nigerians and US Americans

Datos 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)
Año2023
Volumen34
Número4
Páginas649-667
Fecha de publicación2023-07-18
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Conflict Management (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1044-4068 • E-ISSN: 1758-8545
EditorialEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijcma-07-2022-0123
OpenAlexW4380928103
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias 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