| This study investigated conflict management strategy and factors that contribute to strategy choice in work-related conflicts involving people from different cultural backgrounds groups. Using both quantitative (the OCCI, Putnam & Wilson, 1982) and qualitative (Open-ended questions and follow-up interviews) methods, the study determined whether African-American and European-American respondents varied their choice of conflict management strategy on the basis of the cultural background of the other person involved in the conflict. The study also reports on factors respondents said contributed to their choice of conflict strategy.; While the quantitative data analysis failed to uncover any statistically significant differences between African-American and European-American respondents in their use of conflict management strategy, the qualitative data analysis provided rich information on intercultural work-related conflict behavior.; The analysis of the factors that determined strategy choice revealed two types of factors: task-related factors and target-related factors. The task-related factors included factors such as (1) the consequences of the solution favored by the other person, (2) the best interest of the company, (3) the time available to make a decision. The target-related factors included (1) cultural differences between the parties to the conflict, and (2) the interpersonal skills of the other party to the conflict.; Suggestions regarding cultural barriers as a factor that determines conflict strategy choice were presented, and the implications of these findings with respect to conflict communication in the culturally diverse workplace were discussed. |
