TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– This research aims to explore the notion of fit between subordinates’ need for cognitive closure and supervisors’ power tactics on organizational conflict management. Design/methodology/approach– Two-hundred and ninety employees drawn from six different Italian organizations were recruited for the purpose of this study. Findings– Results indicated that high-need-for-closure subordinates utilized more constructive (solution-oriented) conflict management strategies when their supervisors relied on harsh power tactics, whereas low-need-for-closure subordinates were more inclined to use solution-oriented conflict management strategies when their supervisors relied on soft power tactics. Additionally, results indicated that, overall, supervisors’ use of harsh power tactics increased subordinates reliance on maladapted (control-oriented) conflict management strategies, but even more so for subordinates with low need for cognitive closure. Originality/value– This study highlights the importance of supervisor–subordinate fit to understand conflict management in organizational setting. VL - 26 IS - 1 SN - 1044-4068 DO - 10.1108/IJCMA-09-2013-0083 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2013-0083 AU - Bélanger Jocelyn J AU - Pierro Antonio AU - Barbieri Barbara AU - De Carlo Nicola A AU - Falco Alessandra AU - Kruglanski Arie W PY - 2015 Y1 - 2015/01/01 TI - Handling conflict at work: The role of fit between subordinates’ need for closure and supervisors’ power tactics T2 - International Journal of Conflict Management PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 25 EP - 43 Y2 - 2024/03/30 ER -