Exploring the black box: An analysis of work group diversity, conflict, and performance

In this paper we present an integrative model of the relationships among di versity, conflict, and performance, and we test that model with a sample of 45 teams. Findings show that diversity shapes conflict and that conflict, in turn, shapes performance, but these linkages have subtleties. Functional background diversity drives task conflict, but multiple types of diversity drive emotional conflict. Race and tenure diversity are positively associa ted with emotional conflict, while age diversity is negatively associated w ith such conflict. Task routineness and group longevity moderate these rela tionships. Results further show that task conflict has more favorable effec ts on cognitive task performance than does emotional conflict. Overall, the se patterns suggest a complex link between work group diversity and work gr oup functioning.