Whether and when team task conflict and relationship conflict transform over time: a meta-analysis based on cross-lagged panel model

Purpose

Debate persists regarding the transformation between team task conflict and relationship conflict. Based on conflict spiral and team effectiveness theory, this study aims to explore whether and when these conflicts transform over time.

Design/methodology/approach

To address endogeneity in existing research and to test theoretical model, the authors conduct a two-stage structural equation modeling meta-analysis using a cross-lagged panel model based on 32 longitudinal studies (N = 2361).

Findings

The meta-analytic results are as follows: (a) Early team task conflict leads to an increased subsequent relationship conflict while controlling for another form of conflict at each time point (Time 1 and Time 2). This relationship is positively moderated by team size and negatively moderated by interdependence, but not moderated by time lag. Specifically, task conflict generates higher levels of relationship conflict in larger teams or teams with lower interdependence. (b) While controlling for another form of conflict at each time point, early relationship conflict within teams does not significantly relate to task conflict over time. Team size, interdependence and time lag do not significantly moderate this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

These findings help scholars better understand team conflict transformation processes and present managerial implications for practitioners. The limited sample sizes precluded the exploration of more moderators and the interactions among them.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this paper is related to its effort in clarifying the temporal precedence of two forms of conflict, reconciling previous inconsistencies in conflict transformation by exploring moderators and addressing endogeneity in existing research.