A Longitudinal Study of Team Conflict, Conflict Management, Cohesion, and Team Effectiveness

Abstract

This study examines the relationships among team conflict, conflict management, cohesion, and team effectiveness. Data are collected longitudinally from 53 teams, and the results indicate that conflict management has a direct, positive effect on team cohesion and moderates the relationship between relationship conflict and team cohesion as well as that between task conflict and team cohesion. These results suggest that a high level of conflict management not only has a direct impact on team cohesion but also alters the negative and positive effects of relationship conflict and task conflict, respectively, on team cohesion. We also found team cohesion to be positively related to perceived performance, satisfaction with the team, and team viability. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.