Examining the relationships between face concerns and dissent. Issue 1 (6th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Croucher, Stephen M.; Kelly, Stephanie; Chen, Hui; Ashwell, Doug
• Is Part Of: International journal of conflict management. Volume 32:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2020-05-06
• Subjects: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) -- Face negotiation theory -- Dissent -- Organizational assimilation -- Facework; Conflict management -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; Negotiation -- Periodicals; Social conflict -- Periodicals; Diplomatic negotiations in international disputes -- Periodicals; 303.6905
• DOI: 10.1108/IJCMA-11-2019-0215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1044-4068

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between face concerns, articulated (upward) dissent and organizational assimilation. In this study, articulated dissent was conceptualized as a type of dissent. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was distributed to 370 working adults in the USA via Qualtrics. The questionnaire measured five face concerns, namely, self, other and mutual-face, articulated dissent and organizational assimilation. Before hypothesis testing, each measure was subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis to ensure that the hypothesized factor structure held. Pearson correlation and ordinary least squares estimation were used to test the hypotheses. Findings: Conceptualizing dissent as a type of conflict, the findings of the current study are as follows: self-face and assimilation are positively correlated, other-face and assimilation are positively correlated, mutual-face and assimilation are positively correlated, assimilation and articulated dissent are positively correlated and organizational assimilation mediated the relationship between mutual-face and articulated dissent. Research limitations/implications: Theoretically, the self-presentation process (face) is more critical as a person becomes part of an organization; it is through assimilating into an organization that members become familiar with the norms of an organization and more comfortable dissenting to their superiors (articulated dissent); and the more the authors integrate with the work colleagues the more the authors engage in mutual face-saving. Practical implications: The results of this study demonstrate that self-presentation is critical as a person becomes part of an organization, particularly when it comes to managing conflict. Originality/value: This is the first study to link facework with organizational dissent. The results add to the understanding of how face affects whether we choose to express this kind of conflict behavior.