Working with foreign managers : conflict management for effective leader relationships in China

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

International Journal of Conflict Management

Publication Date

7-1-2005

Volume

16

Issue

3

First Page

265

Last Page

286

Keywords

Conflict management, Effective leadership, Foreign managers

Abstract

Given the susceptibility of cross-cultural interaction to misunderstandings and disagreements, conflict management may be especially useful for helping employees develop quality leader relationships with their foreign managers. One hundred and eleven Chinese employees from various industries in Shanghai were interviewed on specific incidents where they had a conflict, defined as incompatible actions, with their Japanese manager or American manager. A qualitative analysis of the incidents and statistical tests of the data supported the hypotheses that a cooperative approach to conflict, rather than competitive or avoidance approaches, help Chinese employees and their foreign managers strengthen their relationship and improve their productivity. Cooperative conflict management may be an important way to overcome obstacles and develop an effective leader relationship across cultural boundaries.

DOI

10.1108/eb022932

Print ISSN

10444068

E-ISSN

17588545

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2005 Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Chen, Y., Tjosvold, D., & Su, S. F. (2005). Working with foreign managers: Conflict management for effective leader relationships in China. International Journal of Conflict Management, 16(3), 265-286. doi: 10.1108/eb022932

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