Cultural Values and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Conflict Management Styles: A Study of Teachers in Accra.

Abstract

The study examined the influence of cultural values and emotional intelligence on conflict management styles. Three hundred and ninety – two (392) respondents were randomly sampled from six (6) Senior High Schools and two Technical Schools in the Accra Metropolis. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with participants completing questionnaires on cultural value dimensions, emotional intelligence, and conflict management styles. Multiple Linear regression and the multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that long-term orientation positively predicted both integrating and compromising conflict management styles. Power distance negatively predicted both integrating and compromising conflict management styles, but positively predicted dominating conflict styles. Masculinity positively predicted both obliging and dominating conflict management styles. Long term orientation, collectivism, and power distance predicted a higher amount of integrating, obliging and dominating conflict management styles respectively compared to the other cultural value dimensions. Uncertainty avoidance accounted for higher prediction of avoiding and compromising conflict management styles compared to the other components of cultural values. Emotional intelligence positively predicted integrating, compromising and obliging conflict management styles but negatively predicted avoiding and dominating conflict management styles. Emotional intelligence accounted for higher variance in integrating conflict management style compared to the other styles of conflict management. Analysis of the data produced significant research findings, hence theoretical and practical implications are discussed as well as limitations and suggestions for future research.