Conflict styles within individualistic, low power distance, and low context nations: a four nation comparison

Abstract

This study compared conflict styles approaches of four nations with similar cultural dimensions. Prior literature assumes similar cultural dimensions produce similar approaches to conflict. Four nations were examined: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Results reveal the conflict approaches of individuals from these nations differ despite similar cultural dimensions. In addition, the four nations scored relatively high on solution-oriented approaches to conflict (integrating and compromising). This is the first study to compare conflict styles across traditionally individualistic, low-context, independent self-construal, and low power distance nations.