The Influence of Multiple Intelligences on Conflict Occurrence and Performance in GVTs

Abstract

The role of different facets of intelligence in the occurrence of conflict in global virtual teams (GVTs) has largely been overlooked in the literature. Building on the theory of multiple intelligences as well as the affective events theory and the contingency theory of task conflict and performance in groups and organizational teams, the present study explores the influence of cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and cognitive ability on the occurrence of interpersonal, task, and process conflicts and the impact of these different types of conflict on the performance of GVTs. Utilizing multi-level analysis, we tested the research model using a sample of 810 individuals from almost 40 countries who worked in 232 GVTs. The results show that the cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and cognitive ability of the team members reduce the occurrence of the three different intragroup conflicts in GVTs. We also demonstrate that process conflict negatively affects the GVT performance. We discussed the implications for research and practice.