The influence of conflict management culture on job satisfaction

In the workplace, conflict and style of conflict management substantially influence individual, group, and organizational effectiveness. In this study I investigated the relationship between job satisfaction and each of a dominant, an avoidant, and a collaborative conflict management culture in the workplace. Using structural equation modeling, I analyzed survey data from 743 people employed as tellers in bank branches in Washington, DC and West Virginia, USA. The results showed that a collaborative conflict management culture has a positive effect on job satisfaction whereas a dominant management culture has a negative effect on job satisfaction. No statistically significant relationship was found between an avoidant conflict management culture and job satisfaction. These findings may be valuable in making decisions about provision of training in conflict management in order to promote a positive working atmosphere within an organization.