Conflict

In broad terms, conflict can be defined as the "the process resulting from the tension between team members because of real or perceived differences"

With regard to conceptualizations of conflict, differentiated between two distinct components: task conflict and emotional conflict.

Task conflict occurs when group members disagree about task-related issues, including procedures, goals, and decisions.

Relational or emotional conflict is characterized by disagreements or tension with regard to personal taste or interpersonal style.

An additional conceptualization of conflict that has regained attention is the idea of "constructive conflict," which involves searching out a variety of opinions, openly confronting differences, and critiquing alternative options . A group that manifests constructive conflict could be characterized by high task conflict and low relational conflict. Importantly, it may be this type of interaction that ultimately facilitates effective team performance through constructive divergence.

"Much of the work in the area of conflict has contrasted task (i.e., productive, cognitive conflict) and relational manifestations (i.e., emotional, interpersonal conflict; Pelled, 1996b). On the one hand, dissimilarity has been linked with productive forms of conflict (demographic diversity, Chatman et al., 1998; educational and functional diversity, Jehn et al., 1999; functional diversity, Pelled et al., 1999; functional, education, tenure diversity, Simons et al., 1999). On the other hand, dissimilarity also has been linked with destructive forms of conflict (social category diversity, Jehn et al., 1999; gender diversity and time urgency diversity, Mohammed & Angell, 2004; ethnic and tenure diversity, Pelled et al., 1999). Thus, despite a few examples that diversity and conflict may be inversely or not at all related, the research evidence reviewed here suggests that heterogeneous teams are more likely to experience conflict (whether productive or destructive in nature) than homogenous teams (see also Grossman, 1997)."

Reference - Conflict and Cooperation in Diverse Workgroups. The Journal of social issues [0022-4537] King yr:2009 vol:65 iss:2