Abstract
Purpose – Although the negative consequences of conflict in work settings have long been
recognized, it is only in recent years that researchers have examined its positive effects, and the
majority of this research has been conducted at the group level. This paper aims to examine the
positive effects of conflict on individual work behaviors by differentiating between task and
relationship conflicts, as well as the moderating influence of two contextual variables.
Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted with 166 pairs of supervisors and
subordinates in China.
Findings – Results supported the hypotheses that task conflict is positively related to both
innovative behaviors and knowledge sharing behaviors while relationship conflict is negatively
related to both individual-directed organizational citizenship and knowledge sharing behaviors.
Support for innovation and reward system for relationship-building functioned as contextual factors
to moderate the relationships between task and relationship conflicts and the workplace behaviors
studied.
Originality/value – The hypotheses proposed and most of the findings are original.
Keywords Conflict, Conflict management, Performance management, Individual behaviour, China
Paper type Research paper