Reciprocated relational preferences and intra‐team conflict

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore the effects of the interaction between team diversity and reciprocated relational preferences on task and relationship conflict in teams.

Design/methodological approach

The paper reports the results of an empirical study conducted on 66 teams, of which 32 were randomly created, while 34 teams were formed through a pair matching strategy (team dating).

Findings

The results show that mutual positive preferences attenuated the positive impact of team diversity on relationship conflict within teams.

Research limitations/implications

The results support the theoretical distinction between task and relationship conflict and show that close interpersonal relations within teams have a differential impact on the two types of conflict.

Practical implications

The results reported in the study support the use of the team dating strategy for team design in different organizational settings.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a new method for team formation based on reciprocated relational preferences.

Citation

Curşeu, P.L., Kenis, P. and Raab, J. (2009), "Reciprocated relational preferences and intra‐team conflict", Team Performance Management, Vol. 15 No. 1/2, pp. 18-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/13527590910937694