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Diverse group effectiveness: co-occurrence of task and relationship conflict, and transformational leadership

Mohanad Dahlan (University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
Amer Ali Al-Atwi (Al Muthanna University, Samawah, Iraq)
Elham Alshaibani (Kerbala University, Kerbala, Iraq)
Ali Bakir (University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
Kevin Maher (Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe, UK)

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management

ISSN: 1741-0401

Article publication date: 26 October 2021

Issue publication date: 24 March 2023

876

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a theoretical integrated model examining the role of the co-occurrence of task and relationship conflict (CTRC) as a mediator in the relationship between diversity and group effectiveness. The model also examines transformational leadership (TFL) as a moderator in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 354 faculty in 56 workgroups from three private universities in the Middle East. SEM and hierarchical regression analysis were used to test the suitability of the model and its hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that TFL moderated diversity's direct effect on CTRC as well as the indirect effect linking diversity, CTRC, and group effectiveness. Specifically, diversity had an inverted U-shaped relationship with CTRC in groups with low TFL, but a negative linear relationship in those with high TFL.

Originality/value

The findings expand understanding of how, and under what conditions, diversity influences group effectiveness by: offering a fresh treatment of this relationship, introducing CTRC as a bivariate construct and bringing into focus the centrality of its harmful effect on this association, and highlighting the influence of TFL in ameliorating this harmful effect.

Keywords

Citation

Dahlan, M., Al-Atwi, A.A., Alshaibani, E., Bakir, A. and Maher, K. (2023), "Diverse group effectiveness: co-occurrence of task and relationship conflict, and transformational leadership", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 72 No. 4, pp. 1051-1076. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-01-2021-0025

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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