Abstract
Researchers have considered interdependence and interaction among individuals and groups as critical for promoting learning in organizations. In an experiment with 80 participants in China, the present authors found that (a) open discussion compared with avoiding discussion and (b) problem solving compared with blaming stimulated the exploration, integration, and adoption of alternative ideas in addition to strengthening interpersonal relationships. The results also indicated the possibility that openness and problem solving have these effects by developing a perceived cooperative interdependence that encourages people to believe that incorporating alternative ideas can help them succeed. Avoidance and blaming, on the other hand, seemed to result in a competitive struggle to see who could impose their ideas on the other, leaving people committed to their original thinking.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 629-644 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Social Psychology |
| Volume | 145 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2005 |
Funding
The authors thank their research assistants from South China Normal University for their able assistance in conducting the present study. The authors also appreciate the financial support of the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (RGC grant Project No. LU3013/01H) to Dean Tjosvold.
Keywords
- Cooperation and competition
- Decision making
- Group and teams
- Learning