Investigating the Relationship between Managers' Rational/ Experiential Thinking Styles and Ability to Conflict Management with Difficult Personalities: An Experimental Design

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Systems Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Ph.D. Student, Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabatabayi University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Given the growing complexity of organizations and the differences in people's thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs, conflict is seen as an inevitable component of organizational life. Since today, manpower is considered as the main asset of organizations and as a competitive advantage, management and control of the conflict phenomenon, especially with difficult personalities in organizations is one of the most important management skills that managers need. Definitely, difficult employees constantly use problematic communication styles such as shouting, moaning and complaining, or taunting to express what they are feeling or thinking, in order to direct or mislead others' behaviors and attitudes. The present study simulates the decision-making situation of difficult personalities using gamification and examines the relationship of rational thinking and success in interacting with difficult personalities through an experimental approach. To measure rational/experiential thinking, two methods of using the REI40 test and manipulating thinking style using a laboratory activity were used. The results of the data analysis showed that the rational thinking measured through REI40, had a positive effect on conflict management with difficult personalities; however, manipulation of thinking style did not have a significant effect on performance.

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Main Subjects

References

 
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