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Which factors do determine the effect of leader´s third-party conflict behavior in subordinates´ conflict?

Katzenski, Carolin (2011) Which factors do determine the effect of leader´s third-party conflict behavior in subordinates´ conflict?

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Abstract:Supervisors often intervene as third-parties in conflict among subordinates. Because interpersonal conflict at work can negatively affect employees (in terms of well-being, job satisfaction and performance) and organizations, past research focused on best practices for supervisors to intervene in employees´ conflict. What has been less examined thus far is under which circumstances supervisorial third-party conflict behaviour affects conflict consequences. In this study we examine which role contextual factors (such as conflict issue, duration and initiative taking) and individual needs and expectations of employees play regarding the effects of supervisor´s third-party behaviour. We conducted semi-structured interviews among 22 clients and employees of a training and organization consultancy agency in the Netherlands. Results show that it is anchored in the employees´ psychological contract whether the supervisor should act as a third-party. Furthermore, we found that employees differ in their liking to call the leader in and that the supervisor´s way of intervening determines employees´ satisfaction of the conflict outcome. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/60946
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