Resumen de Handling conflict at work: : The role of fit between subordinates' need for closure and supervisors' power tactics

Jocelyn J. Bélanger, Antonio Pierro, Barbara Barbieri, Nicola A De Carlo, Alessandra Falco

• Purpose - This research aims to explore the notion of fit between subordinates' need for cognitive closure and supervisors' power tactics on organizational conflict management.

  Design/methodology/approach - Two-hundred and ninety employees drawn from six different Italian organizations were recruited for the purpose of this study.

  Findings - Results indicated that high-need-for-closure subordinates utilized more constructive (solution-oriented) conflict management strategies when their supervisors relied on harsh power tactics, whereas low-need-for-closure subordinates were more inclined to use solution-oriented conflict management strategies when their supervisors relied on soft power tactics. Additionally, results indicated that, overall, supervisors' use of harsh power tactics increased subordinates reliance on maladapted (control-oriented) conflict management strategies, but even more so for subordinates with low need for cognitive closure.

  Originality/value - This study highlights the importance of supervisor-subordinate fit to understand conflict management in organizational setting.