The Relationship Between Knowledge Sharing Climate and Conflict Resolution Styles

Abstract

This research is a case study research that is trying to solve the problem of task conflict that arises within project teams among university students. The research tests the relationship between knowledge sharing climate within the university and conflict resolution styles. This research used interviews with 10 students to explore the research questions and another interview with the head of the quality assurance department in the university that is responsible about the quality of the educational process in the university. Some indicators on the need for such research were collected through the documentation of the university records which was published on its website. A survey also of 102 students revealed that there is positive relationship between the knowledge sharing climate and the middle and high levels of collaboration and assertiveness in solving task conflicts that arise among students’ team members. Avoidance which represents the lowest assertive and the lowest collaborative conflict solution is not related to the knowledge sharing climate at all in this research. This reflects that avoidance may lead to lack of learning unless it is related to dysfunctional conflicts. The research is an exploratory study for predicting the levels of collaboration and assertiveness in conflict resolution styles by the student’s perception of knowledge sharing culture.