A continuing question in the study of conflict and conflict management is, quot;When is conflict helpful, and when is it harmful?quot; Though many have offered explanations for this (Jehn, Northcraft, amp; Neale, 1999), data in support of these notions have been less forthcoming, especially in...

We further the theoretical understanding of group faultlines (hypothetical lines that split a group into subgroups based on two or more demographic attributes; Lau & Murnighan, 1998) in demographically diverse organizations by also conceptualizing the distance of difference between the two...

This study used multiple methods to examine the effects of group member demographic alignment on coalition formation, intersubgroup conflict, and individual and group level outcomes in common-goal groups. The study uses a 2 by 2 experimental design, crossing demographic alignment (alignment vs....

We introduce the concept of faultline distance that reflects the extent to which subgroups formed by faultlines diverge as a result of accumulated differences across them (e.g., two members of age 20 are closer in age to two members of an opposing faultline of age 25 than of two members of age...

We examine how task, relationship, and process conflicts arise from group faultlines. We define group faultlines as hypothetical dividing lines that split a group into subgroups based on the group members' attributes (adapted from Lau & Murnighan, 1998). We further link group conflict to...

We expand the group faultline theory by taking into account the relative importance of various demographics within the group that can trigger the formation of strong group faultlines. We draw on group faultline theory (Lau & Murnighan, 1998), social identity and categorization theories (Turner &...

We explore group faultlines in peacekeeping troops on missions between 1995 and 1999 in Bosnia. Group faultlines are defined as hypothetical dividing lines that split a group into subgroups based on demographic characteristics (e.g. age, gender, etc.), culture, norms, work attitudes, and...