Applying constructive controversy: The influence of conflict management styles on individual learning from conflict

Abstract

Prior research indicates that constructive controversy, as a method to support decision-making in conflict-prone situations, positively impacts learning. By using a simulation approach applying the practical procedure of constructive controversy, this study explores the relationship between conflict management styles and individual learning in the application of constructive controversies. Our results show a positive effect of constructive controversy on individuals’ learning and indicate that conflict management styles moderate this effect. Participants with high avoidance, low collaboration, and low compromise conflict management styles reported particularly high learning gains from constructive controversy. This is a new insight both for research and practical implementation and bridges the gap to future research applying constructive controversy in organizational settings.