Intragroup conflict explained

In sociology, intragroup conflict (or infighting) refers to conflict between two or more members of the same group or team.[1] In the years leading up to 2008, intragroup conflict has received a large amount of attention in conflict and group dynamics literature.[2] This increase in interest in studying intragroup conflict may be a natural corollary of the ubiquitous use of work groups and work teams across all levels of organizations, including decision-making task forces, project groups, or production teams.[3] Jehn[4] identified two main types of intragroup conflict: task conflict and relationship (or emotional) conflict (e.g., differences in personal values).

Antecedents

There are a number of antecedents of intragroup conflict. While not an exhaustive list, researchers have identified a number of antecedents of intragroup conflict, including low task or goal uncertainty,[5] increased group size,[6] increased diversity (i.e., gender, age, race),[7] [8] lack of information sharing,[9] and high task interdependence.[10]

Measuring

Jehn developed the Intragroup Conflict Scale (ICS) to measure the two types of intragroup conflicts (i.e., task and relationship conflict). The ICS consists of eight 7-point Likert scale items which assess intragroup conflict. This scale has been applied in a number of contexts including decision making groups[11] and groups in the moving industry.[12] Furthermore, this scale has high construct and predictive validity.[13]

Group outcomes

Effects of intragroup conflict on group performance or outcome is moderated by a number of factors including the context under which it is examined and the type of outcome.[14] According to one study, task conflict has a less negative relationship (and at times even positive) with group performance and outcomes than believed previously.[14] The results of the study also showed that intragroup conflict is not always negative or detrimental to group performance; for example, task conflict has been related positively to group performance and outcomes when such conflict occurs in management groups.[14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Forsyth, D. R. . Group dynamics . Wadsworth Cengage Learning . New York . 2009 . 978-0-495-59952-4 . 318104476 . 5th .
  2. Korsgaard . M. A. . Jeong . S. S. . Mahony . D. M. . Pitariu . A. H. . amp . A multilevel view of intragroup conflict . Journal of Management . SAGE Publications . 34 . 6 . 2008 . 0149-2063 . 10.1177/0149206308325124 . 1222–1252. 143569606 .
  3. De Dreu . C. K. W. . Weingart . L. R. . amp . Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: A meta-analysis . Journal of Applied Psychology . American Psychological Association (APA) . 88 . 4 . 2003 . 1939-1854 . 10.1037/0021-9010.88.4.741 . 741–749. 12940412 .
  4. Jehn . K. A. . A multimethod examination of the benefits and detriments of intragroup conflict . Administrative Science Quarterly . JSTOR . 40 . 2 . 1995 . 256–282 . 0001-8392 . 10.2307/2393638 . 2393638 .
  5. Mooney . A. C. . Holahan . P. J. . Amason . A. C. . amp . Don't take it personally: Exploring cognitive conflict as a mediator of affective conflict . Journal of Management Studies . Wiley . 44 . 5 . 2007 . 0022-2380 . 10.1111/j.1467-6486.2006.00674.x . 733–758. 144854455 .
  6. Amason . A. C. . Sapienza . H. J. . amp . The effects of top management team size and interaction norms on cognitive and affective conflict . Journal of Management . SAGE Publications . 23 . 4 . 1997 . 0149-2063 . 10.1177/014920639702300401 . 495–516. 143833786 .
  7. Mohammed . S. . Angell . L. C. . amp . Surface- and deep-level diversity in workgroups: Examining the moderating effects of team orientation and team process on relationship conflict . Journal of Organizational Behavior . Wiley . 25 . 8 . 2004 . 0894-3796 . 10.1002/job.293 . 1015–1039.
  8. Pelled . L. H. . Eisenhardt . K. M. . Xin . K. R. . amp . Exploring the black box: An analysis of work group diversity, conflict and performance . Administrative Science Quarterly . JSTOR . 44 . 1 . 1999 . 0001-8392 . 10.2307/2667029 . 1–28. 2667029 . 145267150 .
  9. Moye . N. A. . Langfred . C. W. . amp . Information sharing and group conflict: Going beyond decision making to understand the effects of information sharing on group performance . International Journal of Conflict Management . Emerald . 15 . 4 . 1 April 2004 . 1044-4068 . 10.1108/eb022919 . 381–410.
  10. Deutsch . M. . A theory of co-operation and competition . Human Relations . SAGE Publications . 2 . 2 . 1949 . 0018-7267 . 10.1177/001872674900200204 . free . 129–152.
  11. Amason . A. C. . Mooney . A. C. . amp . The effects of past performance on top management team conflict in strategic decision making . International Journal of Conflict Management . Emerald . 10 . 4 . 1 April 1999 . 1044-4068 . 10.1108/eb022829 . 340–359.
  12. Jehn . K. A. . Gregory Northcraft . Northcraft . G. B. . Margaret Ann Neale . Neale . M. A. . amp . Why differences make a difference: A field study of diversity, conflict and performance in workgroups . Administrative Science Quarterly . JSTOR . 44 . 4 . 1999 . 0001-8392 . 10.2307/2667054 . 741–763. 2667054 . 16313675 .
  13. Pearson . A. W. . Ensley . M. D. . Amason . A. C. . amp . An assessment and refinement of Jehn's intragroup conflict scale . International Journal of Conflict Management . Emerald . 13 . 2 . 1 February 2002 . 1044-4068 . 10.1108/eb022870 . 110–126.
  14. de Wit . F. R. C. . Greer . L. L. . Jehn . K. A. . amp . The paradox of intragroup conflict: A meta-analysis . Journal of Applied Psychology . APA . 97 . 2 . 2012 . 1939-1854 . 10.1037/a0024844 . 360–390. 21842974 .

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