Conflict barometer: an investigation into cross-cultural conflict and its effect on performance

This study seeks to present new ways of exploring and understanding organisational conflict whilst introducing a modern conflict measurement tool. Conflict can arise in every social situation and is commonly demonstrable in a number of ways, including personality clashes, insults, non-cooperation, mistreatment, anger and other types of stressful miscommunication. The research was conducted to explore the critical antecedents of cross-cultural conflict among international business employees and to indicate whether organisational conflict is framed as functional or dysfunctional. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques, the findings support the hypothesis that cross-cultural conflict negatively impacts employee emotions and performance. Finally, the paper proposes the conflict barometer tool to help managers gauge the levels of conflict among employees working in complex cross-cultural environments.