Abstract

This paper aims is an exploratory study that develops and preliminary tests a
conceptual model for the explanation of the role and impact of cultural intelligence
(CQ) on conflict management and negotiation styles in culturally diverse
environments. Data were collected online from 164 employees mainly with a diverse
cultural background. The present research makes two major contributions. First, we
review different streams of literature to integrate the links between cultural diversity,
conflict management, negotiation and CQ. Secondly, we build and test with
exploratory data our theoretical model. Results show CQ affecting the different
conflict management and negotiation strategies (or behaviours) as well as moderating
the link between cultural orientations and the different conflict management and
negotiation styles. Although of exploratory nature, our study is unique in exploring
the interplaying dynamics among our variables, as most of current literature in
conflict management and negotiation focuses on comparisons of different cultures,
rather than investigating the cultural orientations and intelligence of individuals.