The Impact of Cooperative Conflict Management on Team Creativity: A Dual Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Abstract: The traditional Chinese concept of “harmony but diversity” has promoted the development of cooperative conflict management methods within teams. Does such conflict management method affect team creativity? Based on the action learning theory, this study constructs a dual-moderation mediation model. Through an empirical research and analysis of 412 questionnaires from leaders and employees in 77 teams, it explores and tests the influence of cooperative conflict management on team creativity and the mechanism underlying the influence. The research results indicate that cooperative conflict management positively predicts team creativity, and team reflection plays a mediating role between cooperative conflict management and team creativity. Leader mindfulness and team task complexity can positively moderate the facilitative effect of cooperative conflict management on team reflexivity, while also significantly moderating the indirect effect of cooperative conflict management on team creativity through the mediating mechanism of team reflexivity. The results of this study deepen the theoretical research of team conflict management in China, emphasize the importance of leader mindfulness, and provide practical enlightenment for organizations and leaders to stimulate team creativity through cooperative conflict management.

Key words: cooperative conflict management, team reflexivity, team creativity, leader mindfulness, task complexity

Shen Li, Wu Xuezhen. The Impact of Cooperative Conflict Management on Team Creativity: A Dual Moderated Mediation Model[J]. Management Review, 2025, 37(3): 177-189.

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