ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

A great deal of conflict research has addressed the effects of each types of conflict (e.g., task conflict and relationship conflict) on team performance. According to previous research, there has been considerable consensus on the negative effects of relationship conflict on team performance. In contrast, there has been debate over the positive versus negative effects of task conflict on team performance. Some researchers suggested a contingency approach to solve this debate. Recently, many scholars have focused on specific conditions under which task conflict can improve performance. However, there is a dearth of empirical research. This study has focused on a contextual condition which can reduce the negative effects of task conflict on team performance. In this study, we extend extant research by examining how perspective taking in a team influences the relationship between task conflict and team performance. Data collected from 72 R&D teams of South Korean companies have revealed that task conflict was negatively related to team performance. Moreover, we found that perspective taking reduced the negative effects of task conflict on team performance. When task conflict arises in a team, perspective taking among members helps to understand others’ viewpoints, embrace different ideas, and facilitate open discussion. Thus, a higher level of perspective taking within teams can moderate the effect of task conflict on team performance. Recently although intra-team perspective taking has received considerable attentions, little research has been conducted. In this research, it is noteworthy to identify that intra-team perspective taking is an important moderator of the relationship between task conflict and team performance. Limitations and implications for future research were also discussed.

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