Title: Effect of conflict and emotions on perceptions of social loafing in groups

Authors: Satvir Singh; Min Zhu; Huaqing Wang

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, Norris-Vincent College of Business, Angelo State University, Texas Tech University System, ASU Station #11030, San Angelo, 76909, Texas, USA ' Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA ' Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Missouri Southern State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, Missouri, 64801, USA

Abstract: We investigate the impact different types of conflict have on social loafing perceptions within groups/teams. In a sample of 164 respondents, the perception of social loafing was found to be directly and positively influenced by contribution conflict and negative emotions, while task conflict, logistical conflict, and relationship conflict did not have direct positive effects on perceived social loafing. However, task conflict was found to have a marginally significant direct suppressing effect upon perceived social loafing once the influences from logistic conflict, contribution conflict, relationship conflict and negative emotions were controlled for. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Keywords: social loafing; conflict; emotions; groups; teams.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEM.2018.095620

International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 2018 Vol.9 No.1, pp.77 - 94

Received: 09 May 2018
Accepted: 16 Jun 2018
Published online: 12 Oct 2018 *

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