Competing or Accommodating? An Empirical Test of Chinese Conflict Management Styles

Abstract

ABSTRACT Researchers have been investigating the distinctness of Chinese conflict management styles, yet have to provide solid evidence for such differences. This study provides support for this issue by using multiple negotiation simulations to illustrate how Chinese people conflicts and how their preferred conflict management styles affect their negotiation behaviour and outcomes in business negotiation. Results show that compromising and competing, instead of accommodating, are two preferred methods for conflict resolution in China. Managerial implications are then discussed, which concludes this paper. Keyword: Conflict Management Style, China, Compromising, Competing