Is stress good for negotiation outcomes? The moderating effect of social value orientation
International Journal of Conflict Management
ISSN: 1044-4068
Article publication date: 10 December 2020
Issue publication date: 25 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Negotiations are often conducted under stress. Previous studies show that stress can help or hurt negotiation outcomes. This study suggests that individual differences explain these effects, and the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of social value orientation (SVO) and stress on negotiation outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Two experimental studies and a pilot investigate the influence of stress and SVO (prosocial vs proself) on negotiation offers and outcomes. The authors’ studies are grounded on social interdependence theory and arousal literatures to explain the effects of stress on negotiation.
Findings
Stress has a positive influence on integrative offers (S1) and joint outcomes (S2). SVO moderates the effect of stress on joint negotiation outcomes (S2), such that, under stress, prosocials fare better than proselfs.
Research limitations/implications
Managers negotiating under stress should pay attention to their own as well as the others’ SVOs. Managers could also build their negotiation teams considering this individual difference and favor the presence of prosocials in stressful negotiations.
Practical implications
The findings have practical implications for managers who are under stress on a daily basis.
Social implications
This research contributes to managers that need to understand how to reach integrative agreements under stress. This is especially important when negotiators are representatives of employees or companies, as the outcomes can affect many individuals.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study examining the relationship between stress, SVO and negotiation offers and outcomes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the master student Ting Yi for her help on data collection. The authors would like thank the members of IESEG Center on Negotiation who provided valuable feedback in early stages of this work.
Citation
Ramirez-Marin, J.Y., Barragan Diaz, A. and Acar-Burkay, S. (2021), "Is stress good for negotiation outcomes? The moderating effect of social value orientation", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 407-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-04-2020-0063
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited