Different Paths Different Effects: Testing the Relationship Between Team Task Conflict and Team Creativity

Abstract

Based on the self-justification theory, we argued the causal relationship between team task conflict and team creativity in two different paths—team learning behavior and team relationship conflict as two mediators. Furthermore, we proposed that team collectivism would moderate the two paths concurrently: high team collectivism would slightly weaken the path that team learning behavior as the mediator and significantly weaken the path that team relationship conflict as the mediator. In the end, we discussed the contribution of the model to task conflict theory and research, as well as for management practice, and directions for further research.