THE EFFECT OF ASSERTIVENESS ON CONFLICT HANDLING STYLES
Year 2011,
Volume: 29 Issue: 2, 69 - 93, 31.12.2011
Azize Ergeneli
Pınar Karapınar
,
Selin Camgöz
Abstract
The purpose of this study was determine the effect of assertiveness in predicting the preference of conflict handling style in the light of the authority position of the other party. We first explored assertiveness as determinant of preferred conflict handling styles and second; examined whether the status of the other party as a situational factor alters this relationship. Data were gathered using self-administered survey to 206 employees working at a textile manufacturing company. In conflict with superiors, hierarchical regression analysis revealed a direct negative effect of assertiveness on the avoiding style after controlling for gender. In conflict with peers, findings revealed a direct positive effect of assertiveness on dominating style. Its implications and limitations are discussed.
References
- Alberti, R.E. and M. Emmons (1974) Your Perfect Right: A Guide to Assertive Behavior, San Luis Obispo: Impact.
- Amason, A.C. (1996) “Distinguishing the Effects of Functional and Dysfunctional Conflict on Strategic Decision Making: Resolving a Paradox for top Management team”, Academy of Management Journal, 39, 123-47.
- Ames, D.R. and F.J. Flynn (2007) “What Breaks A Leader: The Curvilinear Relation Between Assertiveness and Leadership”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(2), 307-324.
- Arisohn B., M.A. Bruch and R.G. Heimberg (1988) “Influence of Assessment Methods on Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy Ratings of Assertive Behavior”, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 35(3), 336-341.
- Antonioni, D. (1998) “Relationship Between The Big Five Personality Factors and Conflict Management Styles”, International Journal of Conflict Management, 9(4), 336-355.
- Atıcı, M. (2007) “Primary School Students’ Conflict Resolution Strategies in Turkey”, International Journal of Advanced Counseling, 29, 83-95.
- Aycan, Z., R.N. Kanungo, M. Mendonca, K. Yu, J. Deller, G. Stahl and A. Khursid (2000) “Impact of Culture On Human Resource Practices: A Ten Country Comparison”, Applied Psychology: An International Review, 49(1), 192- 220.
- Blake, R.R. and J.S. Mouton (1964) Managerial Grid, Houston, TX: Gulf Publishing Company.
- Borbely, C.J., J.A. Graber, S.T. Nichols, J. Brooks-Gunn and G.J. Botvin (2005) “Sixth Graders’ Conflict Resolution in Role Plays With a Peer, Parent and Teacher”, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34(4), 279- 291.
- Brewer, N., P. Mitchell and N. Weber (2002) “Gender Role, Organizational Status, and Conflict Management Styles”, The International Journal of Conflict Management,13(1), 78-94.
- Callanan, G.A., C.D. Benzing, and D. F. Perri (2006) “Choice of Conflict-Handling Strategy: A Matter of Context”, Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 140, 69-88.
- Chen, Y., J. Brockner and X. Chen (2002) “Individual-Collectivistic Primacy and Ingroup Favoritism: Enhancement and Protection Effects”, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 482–491.
- Chen, G. and D. Tjosvold (2002) “Conflict Management and Team Effectiveness in China: The Mediating Role of Justice”, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 19( 4), 557-72.
- Chan, C.C.A., G.M. Monroe, J. Ng and R.C.W. Tan (2006) “The Conflict Management Styles of Accountants: An Empirical Study in Australia”, International Journal of Management, 23(2), 289-295.
- Chiauzzi, E. and R.G. Heimberg (1986) “Legitimacy of Request and Social Problem Solving: A Study of Assertive and Nonassertive Subjects”, Behavior Modification, 10, 3-18.
- Cingoz-Ulu, B., and R.N. Lalonde (2006) “The role of Culture and Relational Context in Interpersonal Conflict: Do Turks and Canadians Use Different Conflict Management Strategies?”, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 31(4), 443–458.
- De Dreu, C.K. W. and E. Van de Vliert (1997) Using Conflict in Organizations, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
- De Dreu, C.K.W., L.R.Weingart and S. Kwan (2000) “Influence of Social Motives on Integrative Negotiation: A Meta-Analytic Review and Test of Two Theories”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 889- 905.
- DuBrin, A.J. (1989) Contemporary Applied Management: Behavioral Science Techniques for Managers and Professionals (Third Edition), Illinois: Irwin Inc.
- Eisler, R.M., L.W. Frederiksen and G.L. Peterson (1973) “The Relationship of Cognitive Variables to the Expression of Assertiveness”, Behavior Therapy, 9, 419-427.
- Eisler, R.M., M. Hersen, P.M. Miller and E.B. Blanchard (1975) “Situational Determinants of Assertive Behaviors”, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(3), 330-40.
- Eskin, M. (2003) “Self-Reported Assertiveness in Swedish and Turkish Adolescents: A Cross-Cultural Comparison”, Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 44, 7-12.
- Follett, M.P. (1940) “Constructive Conflict” in H. C. Metcalf and L. Urwick (eds.), Dynamic administration: The Collected Papers of Mary Parker Follett, New York: Harper & Row, 30–49.
- Frisch, M.B. and W. Froberg(1987) “Social Validation of Assertion Strategies For Handling Aggressive Criticism: Evidence for Consistency Across Situations”, Behavior Therapy, 2, 181-191.
- Galassi, M.D. and J.P. Galassi (1977) Assert Yourself: How To Be Your Own Person, New York : Human Sciences.
- Hofstede, G. (2001) Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work- Related Values, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
- Hulbert, J.E. and D. Hulbert (1982) “The Value of Assertiveness in Interpersonal Communication”, Management Review, 71(8), 23-26.
- Kabanoff, B. (1987) “Predictive Validity of the MODE Conflict Instrument”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 72, 160-163.
- Kilmann, R.H. and K.W. Thomas (1975) “Interpersonal Conflict-Handling Behavior As Reflections of Jungian Personality Dimensions”, Psychological Reports, 37, 971- 980.
- Kozan, M.K. (1989) “Cultural Influences on Styles of Handling Interpersonal Conflicts: Comparisons Among Jordanian, Turkish, and US Managers”, Human Relations, 42 (9), 787-799.
- Kozan, M.K. (1990) “Relationship of Hierarchy and Topics of Conflict Management Styles: A comparative study” in Rahim, M. A. (ed.), Theory and Research in Conflict Management, New York: Praeger Publishers, 174-187.
- Lee, Chang-Won (2002) “Referent Role and Styles of Handling Interpersonal Conflict: Evidence From a National Sample of Korean Local Government Employees” International Journal of Conflict Management, 13(2),127-142.
- Ma, Z. and A.M. Jaeger (2010) “A Comparative Study of The Influence of Assertiveness on Negotiation Outcomes in Canada and China” Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, 17(4), 333-346.
- Moberg, P.J. (1998) “Predicting Conflict Strategy with Personality Traits: Incremental Validity and The Five- Factor Model”, International Journal of Conflict Management, 8(3), 258-285.
- Özkalp,E., Z.Sungur and A.A. Özdemir (2009) “Conflict Management Styles of Turkish Managers”, Journal of European Industrial Training, 33(5), 419-438.
- Podsakoff, P.M. and D.W. Organ (1986) “Self-reports in Organizational Research: Problems and Prospects”, Journal of Management, 12(2), 531-544.
- Putnam, L.L. and C.E. Wilson (1982) “Communicative Strategies in Organizational Conflicts: Reliability and Validity of a Measurement Scale”, in M. Burgoon (eds.), Communication Yearbook 6, Sage, Beverly Hills, CA, 629-52.
- Rahim, M.A. (1983) “Measurement of Organizational Conflict”, The Journal of General Psychology, 109, 189–199.
- Rahim, M.A. (1992) Managing Conflict in Organizations (2nd ed), Westport, CT: Praeger.
- Rahim, M.A. (2001) Managing Conflict in Organizations (3rd ed), Westport, CT: Quorum Books.
- Rahim, M. A. and T.V. Bonoma (1979) “Managing Organizational Conflict: A Model For Diagnosis and Intervention”, Psychological Reports, 44, 1323–1344.
- Rahim, M.A. and G.F. Buntzman (1989) “Supervisory Power Bases, Styles of Handling Conflict With Subordinates, and Subordinate Compliance and Satisfaction”, The Journal of Psychology, 123 (2), 195–210.
- Rahim M.A, N.R. Magner and D.L. Shapiro (2000) “Do Justice Perceptions Influence Styles of Handling Conflict with Supervisor? What Justice Perceptions, Precisely?” The International Journal of Conflict Management, 11, 9-31.
- Rathus, S.A., (1973) “30-Item Schedule for Assesing Assertive Behavior”, Behavior Therapy, 4: 398-406.
- Renwick, P.A. (1975) “Impact of Topic and Source of Disagreement on Conflict Management”, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 14, 416- 425.
- Schwartz, S.H. (1992) Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theoretical Advances and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries. In M. P. Zanna (ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, New York: Academic Press, 25, 1- 65.
- Scott, N.A. (1979) “Beyond Assertiveness Training: A Problem-Solving Approach”, Personnel and Guidance Journal, 57(9), 450-457.
- Sergiovanni, T. (1987) “The Theoretical Basis for Cultural Leadership” in L. Sheive and M. M.Schoenheit (Eds.), Leadership: Examining the Elusive, 16-29, Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
- Sternberg, R.J. and L.J. Soriano (1984) “Styles of Conflict Resolution”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47,115–126.
- Terhune, K.W. (1970) “The Effects of Personality in Cooperation and Conflict” in P.G. Swingle (ed.), The Structure of Conflict, New York: Academic Press, 193- 234.
- Thomas, K.W. (1976) “Conflict and Conflict Management”, in Dunnette, M. D. (ed.), Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Chicago: Rand McNally, 889-935.
- Tjosvold, D., K. Law and H. Sun (2006) “Effectiveness of Chinese Teams: The role of Conflict Types and Conflict Management Approaches”, Management and Organization Review, 2(2), 231-252.
- Troutman, C.S., K.G. Burke and J.D. Beeler (2000) “The Effects of Self-Efficacy, Assertiveness, Stress, and Gender on Intention to Turnover in Public Accounting”. The Journal of Applied Business Research, 16, 63-74.
- Weiss, S.E. (2010) “Negotiators Effectiveness with Mixed Agenda: An Empirical Exploration of Tasks, Decisions and Performance Criteria”, Group Decision and Negotiation, 19(4), 327-343. .
THE EFFECT OF ASSERTIVENESS ON CONFLICT HANDLING STYLES
Year 2011,
Volume: 29 Issue: 2, 69 - 93, 31.12.2011
Azize Ergeneli
Pınar Karapınar
,
Selin Camgöz
Abstract
The purpose of this study was determine the effect of assertiveness in
predicting the preference of conflict handling style in the light of the authority
position of the other party. We first explored assertiveness as determinant of
preferred conflict handling styles and second; examined whether the status of the
other party as a situational factor alters this relationship. Data were gathered
using self-administered survey to 206 employees working at a textile
manufacturing company. In conflict with superiors, hierarchical regression
analysis revealed a direct negative effect of assertiveness on the avoiding style
after controlling for gender. In conflict with peers, findings revealed a direct
positive effect of assertiveness on dominating style. Its implications and
limitations are discussed.
References
- Alberti, R.E. and M. Emmons (1974) Your Perfect Right: A Guide to Assertive Behavior, San Luis Obispo: Impact.
- Amason, A.C. (1996) “Distinguishing the Effects of Functional and Dysfunctional Conflict on Strategic Decision Making: Resolving a Paradox for top Management team”, Academy of Management Journal, 39, 123-47.
- Ames, D.R. and F.J. Flynn (2007) “What Breaks A Leader: The Curvilinear Relation Between Assertiveness and Leadership”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(2), 307-324.
- Arisohn B., M.A. Bruch and R.G. Heimberg (1988) “Influence of Assessment Methods on Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy Ratings of Assertive Behavior”, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 35(3), 336-341.
- Antonioni, D. (1998) “Relationship Between The Big Five Personality Factors and Conflict Management Styles”, International Journal of Conflict Management, 9(4), 336-355.
- Atıcı, M. (2007) “Primary School Students’ Conflict Resolution Strategies in Turkey”, International Journal of Advanced Counseling, 29, 83-95.
- Aycan, Z., R.N. Kanungo, M. Mendonca, K. Yu, J. Deller, G. Stahl and A. Khursid (2000) “Impact of Culture On Human Resource Practices: A Ten Country Comparison”, Applied Psychology: An International Review, 49(1), 192- 220.
- Blake, R.R. and J.S. Mouton (1964) Managerial Grid, Houston, TX: Gulf Publishing Company.
- Borbely, C.J., J.A. Graber, S.T. Nichols, J. Brooks-Gunn and G.J. Botvin (2005) “Sixth Graders’ Conflict Resolution in Role Plays With a Peer, Parent and Teacher”, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34(4), 279- 291.
- Brewer, N., P. Mitchell and N. Weber (2002) “Gender Role, Organizational Status, and Conflict Management Styles”, The International Journal of Conflict Management,13(1), 78-94.
- Callanan, G.A., C.D. Benzing, and D. F. Perri (2006) “Choice of Conflict-Handling Strategy: A Matter of Context”, Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 140, 69-88.
- Chen, Y., J. Brockner and X. Chen (2002) “Individual-Collectivistic Primacy and Ingroup Favoritism: Enhancement and Protection Effects”, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 482–491.
- Chen, G. and D. Tjosvold (2002) “Conflict Management and Team Effectiveness in China: The Mediating Role of Justice”, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 19( 4), 557-72.
- Chan, C.C.A., G.M. Monroe, J. Ng and R.C.W. Tan (2006) “The Conflict Management Styles of Accountants: An Empirical Study in Australia”, International Journal of Management, 23(2), 289-295.
- Chiauzzi, E. and R.G. Heimberg (1986) “Legitimacy of Request and Social Problem Solving: A Study of Assertive and Nonassertive Subjects”, Behavior Modification, 10, 3-18.
- Cingoz-Ulu, B., and R.N. Lalonde (2006) “The role of Culture and Relational Context in Interpersonal Conflict: Do Turks and Canadians Use Different Conflict Management Strategies?”, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 31(4), 443–458.
- De Dreu, C.K. W. and E. Van de Vliert (1997) Using Conflict in Organizations, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
- De Dreu, C.K.W., L.R.Weingart and S. Kwan (2000) “Influence of Social Motives on Integrative Negotiation: A Meta-Analytic Review and Test of Two Theories”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 889- 905.
- DuBrin, A.J. (1989) Contemporary Applied Management: Behavioral Science Techniques for Managers and Professionals (Third Edition), Illinois: Irwin Inc.
- Eisler, R.M., L.W. Frederiksen and G.L. Peterson (1973) “The Relationship of Cognitive Variables to the Expression of Assertiveness”, Behavior Therapy, 9, 419-427.
- Eisler, R.M., M. Hersen, P.M. Miller and E.B. Blanchard (1975) “Situational Determinants of Assertive Behaviors”, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(3), 330-40.
- Eskin, M. (2003) “Self-Reported Assertiveness in Swedish and Turkish Adolescents: A Cross-Cultural Comparison”, Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 44, 7-12.
- Follett, M.P. (1940) “Constructive Conflict” in H. C. Metcalf and L. Urwick (eds.), Dynamic administration: The Collected Papers of Mary Parker Follett, New York: Harper & Row, 30–49.
- Frisch, M.B. and W. Froberg(1987) “Social Validation of Assertion Strategies For Handling Aggressive Criticism: Evidence for Consistency Across Situations”, Behavior Therapy, 2, 181-191.
- Galassi, M.D. and J.P. Galassi (1977) Assert Yourself: How To Be Your Own Person, New York : Human Sciences.
- Hofstede, G. (2001) Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work- Related Values, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
- Hulbert, J.E. and D. Hulbert (1982) “The Value of Assertiveness in Interpersonal Communication”, Management Review, 71(8), 23-26.
- Kabanoff, B. (1987) “Predictive Validity of the MODE Conflict Instrument”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 72, 160-163.
- Kilmann, R.H. and K.W. Thomas (1975) “Interpersonal Conflict-Handling Behavior As Reflections of Jungian Personality Dimensions”, Psychological Reports, 37, 971- 980.
- Kozan, M.K. (1989) “Cultural Influences on Styles of Handling Interpersonal Conflicts: Comparisons Among Jordanian, Turkish, and US Managers”, Human Relations, 42 (9), 787-799.
- Kozan, M.K. (1990) “Relationship of Hierarchy and Topics of Conflict Management Styles: A comparative study” in Rahim, M. A. (ed.), Theory and Research in Conflict Management, New York: Praeger Publishers, 174-187.
- Lee, Chang-Won (2002) “Referent Role and Styles of Handling Interpersonal Conflict: Evidence From a National Sample of Korean Local Government Employees” International Journal of Conflict Management, 13(2),127-142.
- Ma, Z. and A.M. Jaeger (2010) “A Comparative Study of The Influence of Assertiveness on Negotiation Outcomes in Canada and China” Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, 17(4), 333-346.
- Moberg, P.J. (1998) “Predicting Conflict Strategy with Personality Traits: Incremental Validity and The Five- Factor Model”, International Journal of Conflict Management, 8(3), 258-285.
- Özkalp,E., Z.Sungur and A.A. Özdemir (2009) “Conflict Management Styles of Turkish Managers”, Journal of European Industrial Training, 33(5), 419-438.
- Podsakoff, P.M. and D.W. Organ (1986) “Self-reports in Organizational Research: Problems and Prospects”, Journal of Management, 12(2), 531-544.
- Putnam, L.L. and C.E. Wilson (1982) “Communicative Strategies in Organizational Conflicts: Reliability and Validity of a Measurement Scale”, in M. Burgoon (eds.), Communication Yearbook 6, Sage, Beverly Hills, CA, 629-52.
- Rahim, M.A. (1983) “Measurement of Organizational Conflict”, The Journal of General Psychology, 109, 189–199.
- Rahim, M.A. (1992) Managing Conflict in Organizations (2nd ed), Westport, CT: Praeger.
- Rahim, M.A. (2001) Managing Conflict in Organizations (3rd ed), Westport, CT: Quorum Books.
- Rahim, M. A. and T.V. Bonoma (1979) “Managing Organizational Conflict: A Model For Diagnosis and Intervention”, Psychological Reports, 44, 1323–1344.
- Rahim, M.A. and G.F. Buntzman (1989) “Supervisory Power Bases, Styles of Handling Conflict With Subordinates, and Subordinate Compliance and Satisfaction”, The Journal of Psychology, 123 (2), 195–210.
- Rahim M.A, N.R. Magner and D.L. Shapiro (2000) “Do Justice Perceptions Influence Styles of Handling Conflict with Supervisor? What Justice Perceptions, Precisely?” The International Journal of Conflict Management, 11, 9-31.
- Rathus, S.A., (1973) “30-Item Schedule for Assesing Assertive Behavior”, Behavior Therapy, 4: 398-406.
- Renwick, P.A. (1975) “Impact of Topic and Source of Disagreement on Conflict Management”, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 14, 416- 425.
- Schwartz, S.H. (1992) Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theoretical Advances and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries. In M. P. Zanna (ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, New York: Academic Press, 25, 1- 65.
- Scott, N.A. (1979) “Beyond Assertiveness Training: A Problem-Solving Approach”, Personnel and Guidance Journal, 57(9), 450-457.
- Sergiovanni, T. (1987) “The Theoretical Basis for Cultural Leadership” in L. Sheive and M. M.Schoenheit (Eds.), Leadership: Examining the Elusive, 16-29, Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
- Sternberg, R.J. and L.J. Soriano (1984) “Styles of Conflict Resolution”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47,115–126.
- Terhune, K.W. (1970) “The Effects of Personality in Cooperation and Conflict” in P.G. Swingle (ed.), The Structure of Conflict, New York: Academic Press, 193- 234.
- Thomas, K.W. (1976) “Conflict and Conflict Management”, in Dunnette, M. D. (ed.), Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Chicago: Rand McNally, 889-935.
- Tjosvold, D., K. Law and H. Sun (2006) “Effectiveness of Chinese Teams: The role of Conflict Types and Conflict Management Approaches”, Management and Organization Review, 2(2), 231-252.
- Troutman, C.S., K.G. Burke and J.D. Beeler (2000) “The Effects of Self-Efficacy, Assertiveness, Stress, and Gender on Intention to Turnover in Public Accounting”. The Journal of Applied Business Research, 16, 63-74.
- Weiss, S.E. (2010) “Negotiators Effectiveness with Mixed Agenda: An Empirical Exploration of Tasks, Decisions and Performance Criteria”, Group Decision and Negotiation, 19(4), 327-343. .