ROLE OF COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AMONG CULTURALLY DIVERSE WORK TEAMS IN UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: This study sought to assess the role of cognitive complexity in conflict management among culturally diverse work teams in universities in Kenya.
Methods: This study used a descriptive design. The target population for this study was permanent employees of three universities: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kirinyaga University, and Daystar University. For each university, the population was stratified into two strata: managers and general staff. The list of university employees was the sampling frame. A total of 169 employees responded to the questionnaire, and 16 managers were interviewed. Primary data was gathered using in-depth interviews and a structured questionnaire. Data analysis included quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Findings: The regression results indicated a beta coefficient of 0.177 and a p-value of 0.02 < 0.05. This suggests that cognitive complexity significantly positively influences conflict management among culturally diverse university work teams.
Conclusion: Cognitive complexity is a meaningful factor in how culturally diverse university work teams manage conflict.
Recommendations: University management should adopt a compromise-based approach to conflict management, with each party negotiating in a give-and-take spirit.
Keywords: cognitive complexity, conflict management, work teams, interpersonal discrimination
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