Self-construal, face concerns, and conflict management strategies: A meta-analysis

Sara Yamini*, Kyriaki Fousiani, Barbara Wisse

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

The conflict management strategies that people use are largely determined by people’s cultural characteristics. However, available studies on the matter yield inconsistent findings. This meta-analysis zooms in on the relationship between self-construal and conflict management and assesses the mediating role of face concerns. Two hundred fifty-four effect sizes based on thirty-three studies were pooled in this meta-analysis. We found that individuals with stronger independent self-construal and stronger self-face concerns were more likely to use forcing. Moreover, the relationship between independent self-construal and forcing was mediated by self-face concerns. Individuals with a stronger interdependent self-construal and individuals with stronger other-face concerns were more likely to use problem-solving and yielding. The relationship between interdependent self-construal and problem-solving and yielding was mediated by other-face concerns. Finally, interdependent self-construal also had an indirect effect, via other-face concern, on avoiding and compromising. These findings are in line with the assumptions of the Face Negotiation Theory.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)375-412
Number of pages38
JournalCross Cultural & Strategic Management
Volume30
Issue number2
Early online date28-Feb-2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • conflict management strategies
  • self-construal
  • structural equation modeling
  • face concerns
  • meta-analysis
  • Face Negotiation Theory

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