Does Cooperative Conflict Management mediate the relationship between Diversity Appreciation and Self-Efficacy for Teamwork with Dissimilar Team-mates?

Abstract

This research study examines the mediating influence of a problem-solving conflict style (PSCMS) on the relationship between diversity appreciation (DA) and self-efficacy for teamwork with team-mates who are perceived as dissimilar (SEDT). One hundred and ninety-six undergraduate business management students completed self-assessment measures of DA and SEDT, and identified a close associate who completed an observer version of the Dutch conflict management style scale. Product moment correlations were used to examine the hypothesized relationships between SEDT and both DA and PSCMS, and both the Hayes process and the Sobel test were used to test the hypothesis that PSCMS mediates the relationship between DA and SEDT. SEDT was significantly correlated with both DA (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and PSCMS (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). DA was significantly correlated with PSCMS (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Both the Hayes process and Sobel test (Z = 3.91, p < 0.001) confirmed that PSCMS partially mediated the relationship between DA and SEDT. Educators and practitioners need to be aware of the influence of DA and PSCMS on SEDT. Development activities that promote both diversity appreciation and use of a problem-solving conflict management style should help improve team member confidence in their ability to work with team-mates who they perceive as significantly different from themselves. This is the first study to examine the relationships between DA, PSCMS and SEDT. The results of this study highlight the importance of promoting both diversity appreciation and a problem-solving conflict management style as part of the process of helping team members develop confidence in their ability to successfully work with team-mates who they perceive as dissimilar.