The Effects of Conflict Resolution Strategies on Relationship Learning and Performance

갈등해결전략이 관계학습과 성과에 미치는 영향

Early conflict research in channel and organization area have focused on the definition of conflict construct, its cause, consequence and identified conflict resolution management. Recent studies about conflict, however, have explored new assumption of complexity, a multidimensional conflict construct, contextual conflict management strategies, positive and negative conflict/consequence, and the conflict resolution strategy. Although many literatures exists on channel conflict resolution, little research has been done about relationship learning and performance from conflict resolution perspective. This study explores how channel members can achieve a relationship learning, as a conflict resolution mechanism, which enhance co-created value in marketing channel relationship. Therefore we propose that conflict resolution strategies(collaborating behavior and avoiding behavior) influence channel performance(effectiveness and efficiency) through relationship learning processes(learning via information exchange, joint interpretation and coordination, relationship-specific knowledge memory), in view of buyer-seller relationship. The research model is shown at

. A total of twelve hypotheses were established through prior studies dealing with conflict and relationship marketing theory. Then we drove conceptual research model. For the purpose of empirical testing, we managed to obtain the list of suppliers of 24 retailers from 5 retailer formats, such as department store, discount store, convenience store, TV home-shopping and internet shopping mall. They were asked to respond to the survey via face-to-face interview conducted by a professional research company. During the one month period of June 2009, we were able to collect data form 490 suppliers. The respondent were restricted to direct dealing authorities and manager with at least three months of dealing experience with retailers. Structural equation modeling on the basis of the results of survey were done to analyze. As a result, eight among twelve hypotheses were supported. The analysis result indicated that collaborating behavior had positive effect on three forms of relationship learning, but avoiding behavior has negative effect on only information exchange. Joint interpretation and coordination, relationship-specific knowledge memory had positive effect on relationship performances, but information exchange had no effect on performances. The results support our basic thesis that the use of conflict resolution strategies have different effect on developing relationship learning, which leads to channel performances. In particular, collaborating behavior is positively related to relationship learning, and avoidance behavior is negatively related to information exchange. Relationship learning is partially contributed to channel performance.

갈등에 대한 다양한 연구가 이루어졌음에도 불구하고, 갈등해결을 통한 관계학습의 관점에서 조직적(interorganizational)으로 접근한 연구는 매우 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 갈등해결 매커니즘을 통해, 유통경로 구성원들이 어떻게 관계학습을 구축할 수 있는지, 그리고 이것들이 경로관계의 성과에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 살펴보고 있다. 이와 같은 목적으로 국내 유통업체의 협력업체 영업담당자 490명을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시한 결과, 갈등해결에 있어 협력행동은 관계학습의 세 가지 과정인 정보공유, 공동이해와 해석, 관계특유기억 모두를 강화한 반면, 회피행동은 정보공유만 약화시키는 것으로 나타났다. 공동이해와 해석, 관계특유기억은 유통경로의 성과인 효과성과 효율성을 강화시킨 반면, 정보공유는 성과에 영향을 미치지 않았다.