A Two-dimensional Theory of Team Conflict

The study explores current management perceptions regarding conflict within teams specifically looking at those involved in the investment appraisal of capital projects. The research is in two stages. Stage 1 is based on a postal questionnaire survey relating to the appraisal of capital investments addressed to large UK organisations. Stage 2 was conducted through semi-structured interviews followed by a short-questionnaire. From the exploratory study it was possible to identify and further investigate what the short-questionnaire respondents termed personal and departmental conflict as well as what they perceived to be good (positive) conflict and bad (negative) conflict. It was perceived that controlled departmental conflict may lead to enhanced decision-making while personal conflict may be destructive and lead to non-optimal decision-making. The research also identified the importance of the investment appraisal procedure and suggests that this may be one way of controlling conflict within teams. It theorises on a two-dimensional perception of team conflict: departmental and personal conflict and brings up-to-date current perceptions of team conflict.