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Article
Publication date: 19 April 2013

Ching Tsung Jen

The purpose of this study is to analyze the connections between centrality within conflict networks, individual performance, and job satisfaction from the perspective of social…

3193

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the connections between centrality within conflict networks, individual performance, and job satisfaction from the perspective of social networks. The intervening effects of task interdependency on these connections are also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the social network survey approach, the empirical data from 310 engineers of a large R&D Institute affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan were collected.

Findings

The results show that centrality within relationship conflict networks was negatively related to individual performance and job satisfaction. However, centrality within task conflict networks was positively related to individual performance and job satisfaction Task interdependency mitigates the negative influence of relationship conflicts on individual performance and job satisfaction, and the positive influence of task conflict on job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

As the evidence in this study came from the employees of one organization, future studies should corroborate findings by surveying more organizations.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for individual social networks. Within the conflict network, people who occupy the central position of relationship conflict have a negative impact on performance and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on social networks and conflicts theory by demonstrating the concept of centrality within conflict networks. In addition, it also demonstrates that the centrality of conflict network is an important factor in influencing individual performance and job satisfaction.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 December 2019

Guangdong Wu, Zhibin Hu, Junwei Zheng, Xianbo Zhao and Jian Zuo

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between structure characteristics of project network, types of conflicts and project success.

1037

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between structure characteristics of project network, types of conflicts and project success.

Design/methodology/approach

Network density and centrality were used to reflect the structure characteristics of project network. This study collected 254 valid responses from construction professionals (including project managers, department managers and project engineers) via a questionnaire survey and analyzed the data using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping techniques.

Findings

The results showed that network centrality of project stakeholders negatively affected project success, whereas the effect of network density on project success was non-significant. The network density was positively related to task conflict, whereas negatively related to process and relationship conflict. Network centrality was positively related to relationship conflict and had negative effects on task and process conflict. Project conflicts served as the mediator, weakening the relationship between network structure characteristics and project success.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides direction for project managers and other stakeholders (e.g. owners, contractors and subcontractors) to appropriately establish social ties and manage conflicts to achieve project success. However, the potential influence of conflict transformation on project success, the dynamic nature of project networks and the network diagram were not addressed in the context of diverse culture. The future research should cover different stakeholders in order to get an integrative understanding of project networks and collect data from different cultural and industrial characteristics, extending and verifying the results.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the study provide evidence in regard to social network ties governance, which is comprised by the important or representative stakeholders, being a part of the effective strategy in improving project success. This study also contributes to the knowledge of conflict management in the project context, revealing the positive and negative of project conflicts and enriching the current understandings of the underlying mechanism of the project network characteristics on project success.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 August 2022

Cong Liu, Jiming Cao, Kaifeng Duan and Guangdong Wu

This study investigates the impact of network positions on inter-team conflicts and project success in megaprojects.

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of network positions on inter-team conflicts and project success in megaprojects.

Design/methodology/approach

Network position is measured with centrality and structural holes. Substantive conflict and affective conflict reflect inter-team conflicts. A questionnaire survey was implemented in Chinese megaprojects, and 309 valid questionnaires were collected. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping methods.

Findings

The results show that centrality negatively impacts project success, while the presence of a team in a structural hole has no significant impact on project success. Centrality is negatively related to substantive conflict and is positively related to affective conflict. The team in a structural hole has a positive effect on substantive conflict and a negative effect on affective conflict. Substantive conflict and affective conflict have positive and negative effects on project success, respectively. The effect of network position on project success is mediated by inter-team conflict.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides a reference for megaproject managers to better conduct network governance, manage inter-team conflict, and successfully manage projects. The study did not investigate the effects of changes in teams' network positions on project success. Future research should explore this facet of megaprojects.

Originality/value

This research adds to existing research on network position, and reveals that project network governance is important for megaproject success. This provides a new direction for megaproject management. Furthermore, the results validate constructive and non-constructive roles and the mediating role of inter-team conflict. This complements the literature on conflict management, providing a reference for megaproject managers when managing inter-team conflict.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2016

Martijn Jungst and Boris Blumberg

Guided by social resource theory, this study aims to examine the influence of conflict (i.e. task and relationship) on performance. The authors investigated whether job engagement…

2440

Abstract

Purpose

Guided by social resource theory, this study aims to examine the influence of conflict (i.e. task and relationship) on performance. The authors investigated whether job engagement mediates this relationship and whether social network quality moderates the relationship between conflict, job engagement and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors built and tested a moderated mediation model, using data from 217 graduate students.

Findings

Results showed that job engagement operates as a mediating mechanism between task conflict and performance. The authors also found that the indirect effect of job engagement depended upon the quality of the social networks. When the quality of the social network was high, both the task and relationship conflict did not negatively influence the association between job engagement and performance.

Research limitations/implications

These findings provide new insights into how social embeddedness in the form of social network quality can create a social context in which conflict works out less detrimental.

Practical implications

Given that employees are interdependent and coworkers are likely to differ in their personal values and opinions, the authors conclude that managers should facilitate the development of meaningful relationships at work.

Originality/value

Whereas prior research has found conflict (i.e. task and relationship) to negatively associate with performance, the authors show that social networks do affect the strength of the relationship between conflict (i.e. task and relationship) and performance.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2022

Shu-Ching Chen

This study provides an insight into and a solution for the conflict among marketing channel members in China. It also examines the application of a Western channel conflict

Abstract

Purpose

This study provides an insight into and a solution for the conflict among marketing channel members in China. It also examines the application of a Western channel conflict management (CM) model in China and suggests future research directions for CM of marketing channel members.

Design/methodology/approach

A replication research study with extensions was conducted following previous studies' suggestions. Using a Chinese sample, the author further evaluates a Western conceptual framework with hypothetical relationships of variables. Different from the original study using students in a simulated network environment, this study used channel members involved in actual network activities. Data were collected by a questionnaire survey and analyzed.

Findings

The results show CM of channel members in China and do not fully support the hypotheses in the Western model. This study identifies the determinants of an effective approach toward resolving conflicts among members from the perspectives of network outcomes, conflict types and management styles. The choice of CM style is imperative to member performance, especially for achieving specific network outcomes or CM goals.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing studies of CM of marketing channel members by providing empirical evidence of managing conflict of members in the Chinese channel, revealing the effectiveness of CM of members with different cultural norms, providing managers with practical solutions to effectively manage conflicts among members and providing future research directions regarding this topic.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2022

Cong Liu, Jiming Cao, Guangdong Wu, Xianbo Zhao and Jian Zuo

This study aims to explore the relationship between network position, various types of inter-organizational conflicts and project performance in the context of megaprojects.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between network position, various types of inter-organizational conflicts and project performance in the context of megaprojects.

Design/methodology/approach

Centrality and structural holes were used to represent network position. A theoretical model was developed, and a structured questionnaire survey was conducted with construction professionals involved in megaprojects. A total of 291 valid responses were obtained, which were analyzed via structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results showed that centrality negatively impacts project performance, while structural holes do not significantly impact project performance. Centrality negatively affects task conflicts, but positively affects process conflicts and relationship conflicts. Structural holes positively impact task conflicts, but negatively impact both process conflicts and relationship conflicts. Task conflict and relationship conflict exert constructive and destructive effects on project performance, respectively, while process conflict does not significantly impact project performance. Task conflict and relationship conflict play mediating roles. Task conflict weakens while relationship conflict strengthens the relationship between centrality and project performance. Task conflict strengthens while relationship conflict weakens the relationship between structure hole and project performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a reference for the implementation of network governance, inter-organizational conflict management and project performance management in megaprojects. However, the impact of dynamic changes of inter-organizational conflicts and network position on project performance has not been discussed in the context of megaprojects. Future research may explore the impact of dynamic changes of conflicts and network position on project implementation.

Originality/value

This study increases the current understanding of the impact of network position on project performance. Moreover, a new direction for network governance in the context of megaprojects is provided. This study also verified both the constructive and destructive effects of conflicts and the mediating role they play, thus supplementing the literature on inter-organizational conflict management in the construction field.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 February 2021

Naiding Yang, Min Guo, Jingbei Wang and Yanlu Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two dimensions of relational risks, namely, opportunism behavior and interest conflict, on knowledge flow and to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two dimensions of relational risks, namely, opportunism behavior and interest conflict, on knowledge flow and to explore the moderating effect of network power among these untested relationships and to examine the positive effect of opportunism behavior and interest conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts survey data collected from 180 enterprises in China's high-technology industry and examines the relationship between relational risks, network power and knowledge flow.

Findings

This research empirically shows that opportunism behavior and interest conflict significantly and negatively impact on knowledge flow. Those relationships are positively moderated by network power.

Research limitations/implications

To be more generalized to the high-technology industry, future research should adopt the quantitative research, which can obtain more comprehensive information to explore the nature of phenomenon. The future research can also combine with other variables. In addition, this research extends the current literature by investigating the relationship of so far understudied theorized antecedents.

Originality/value

This research enriches the related network perspective literature by providing new insight combining relational risks and knowledge flow. Especially, the moderating effect of network power is empirically examined.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 59 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2007

A.G. Sheard and A.P. Kakabadse

This monograph seeks to summarise the key influences of a role‐based perspective on leadership when making decisions as to how organisational resources can best be deployed.

7142

Abstract

Purpose

This monograph seeks to summarise the key influences of a role‐based perspective on leadership when making decisions as to how organisational resources can best be deployed.

Design/methodology/approach

Application of new frameworks provides insight into the leadership roles executives can adopt when part of formal, informal and temporary groups within the organisation's senior management team and those parts of the organisation for which they are responsible. The methodology adopted is qualitative, focusing on application of previously developed frameworks.

Findings

Adoption of an appropriate leadership role, and the timely switch from one role to another as circumstances change, are found to facilitate improvement in the ability of executives to mobilise organisational resources, and in so doing effectively address those challenges with which the organisation is faced.

Research limitations/implications

A one‐organisation intensive case study of a multinational engineering company engaged in the design, development and manufacture of rotating turbomachinery provides the platform for the research. The research intent is to validate two frameworks in a different organisation of a similar demographic profile to those in which the frameworks were developed. The frameworks will require validating in organisations of different demographic profiles.

Practical implications

The concepts advanced, and implications discussed, provide an insight into the role‐based nature of leadership. The practical steps individual executives can take to develop their ability to adopt different leadership roles are highlighted.

Originality/value

This monograph is an investigation into, and study of the contribution of theory that provides insight into, the process by which executives effectively mobilise organisational resources. This differs from the original contributions to theory, which focused on methodology, data gathering and validation in contrast with the current study that is focused on practical application.

Details

Journal of Management Development, vol. 26 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0262-1711

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2020

Guangdong Wu, Junwei Zheng, Xianbo Zhao and Jian Zuo

This study aims to investigate how the strength of ties (i.e. strong ties and weak ties) in megaproject networks influences project performance in terms of types of conflicts.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how the strength of ties (i.e. strong ties and weak ties) in megaproject networks influences project performance in terms of types of conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was undertaken with professionals in Chinese megaprojects and 445 valid responses were received. A conflict-based theoretical model was developed and tested with structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicated that task conflict had a constructive effect on project performance, whereas relationship conflict and process conflict had destructive effects. Both strong and weak ties positively affected project performance, and that weak ties exerted greater effects on performance. The introduction of conflicts significantly weakened the effect of strong ties on project performance. Strong ties indirectly affected project performance via task conflict and relationship conflict, whereas weak ties affected performance only through task conflict. Task conflict had a constructive effect on project performance, whereas relationship conflict and process conflict had destructive impact.

Research limitations/implications

This study identified the positive effect of strength of ties on project performance as well as the constructive and destructive roles of conflicts. Furthermore, the findings provided evidence that strength of ties and conflicts were critical factors for project performance. While, there are still limitations. There are other attributes of megaproject networks, such as network nodes’ characteristics and network structure, which may influence conflicts and project performance. Future research would be conducted to explore the role of these variables. Meanwhile, because different types of conflicts may mutually transform under certain conditions, future research would also address this issue in megaprojects.

Practical implications

As for the management strategies, project stakeholders should know the existence of project networks, exactly assess their resource endowment, especially their external and internal relationship network. In accordance with changes of the project network, stakeholders should share knowledge and learn techniques about how to respond to relationship disturbances, thus reducing relationship conflict and process conflict. Furthermore, stakeholders should place an emphasis on fostering and reinforcing communication and trust, thus effectively resolving task conflict, ambiguity and uncertainty engendered from network ties in a megaproject network.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this study is threefold. First, this study will enrich the literature on strength of ties by accentuating the roles of conflicts in megaproject context. Second, this study contributes to the theoretical development of a conceptual model for explaining the interrelationships among strength of ties, conflicts and project performance. Third, this study will respond to the call “which dimension, i.e. strong ties or weak ties, is more influential” by exploring the direct and indirect effects of strength of ties on project performance.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2020

Guangkuan Deng, Jianyu Zhang and Zhiwen Fan

In this paper, extending the research on the positive effects of marketing channel conflicts, this paper aims to examine how functional and dysfunctional conflicts influence…

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, extending the research on the positive effects of marketing channel conflicts, this paper aims to examine how functional and dysfunctional conflicts influence channel innovation capability by triggering channel cohesion and investigate the moderating role of a distributor’s network structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on social network theory and Coser’s conflict theory, this paper develops a framework, tested using Chinese manufacturers’ data, which incorporated six key variables, namely, functional conflict, dysfunctional conflict, channel cohesion, channel innovation capability, network density and network centrality.

Findings

The empirical results revealed that functional conflict can arouse channel cohesion and that distributor network density and centrality positively moderates this relationship; dysfunctional conflict negatively affects channel cohesion, but distributor network density negatively moderates this relationship; channel cohesion had a mediating effect on the relationship between channel conflict and channel innovation capability.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the research on channel conflict by incorporating the entire channel system’s innovation capability as a positive consequence of channel conflict and expands the channel conflict literature that adopts a network structure perspective.

Details

Nankai Business Review International, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8749

Keywords

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