A cultural lens on interpersonal conflict and creativity in multicultural environments.

Abstract

The literature on the effects of cultural diversity on conflict and team performance has been dominated by the information processing and social categorization theories. This article adds to the existing literature by adopting a dynamic constructivist approach detailing the effects of interpersonal conflict on cognition in multicultural environments. The fulcrum of this model is whether the conflict is interpreted as a threat. We describe the relationships between multicultural environments and perceived conflict; perceived conflict and the perception of threat; and the perception of threat on individual creativity via prevention or promotion orientations. Drawing from the dynamic constructivist approach to culture, this model highlights how culture, as shared mental models and shared meanings, may moderate these relationships. Cultural meanings may influence whether a situation is perceived as a conflict, whether conflict is interpreted as a threat, and individuals’ tolerance for conflict. This model points out how culture may be used to impact the relationship between multicultural environments and creativity.