How Executives Manage Interpersonal Conflicts in Chinese Companies in Germany: Intercultural Difference in Conflict Management Styles

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of culture on the conflict management styles of Chinese executives when interacting with their German staff in Chinese companies located in Germany. A mixed method was employed. First off questionnaire survey was completed and the data was analyzed with t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient methods, then semi-structured interview was conducted and the qualitative content analysis method was used for analysis. This study found that IDV, UAI, IVR dimensions had significant powerful influence on conflict styles of Chinese and German managers; the cultural orientations of Chinese and Germans had also been altered, but their favorite styles remained the same due to the factors, namely: cultural regression, stability of national culture, and various dialectics.