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PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the definition of conflict, and argue that conflict is not always destructive.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary centers on re‐evaluating past research into the definition and nature of conflict. It proposes that more thought is required when using the term as it is too broad in its definition. The term has become synonymous with negativity, and this commentary aims to show that the term may also be used in certain situations when conflict can have a positive effect.FindingsAlthough the research has shown that some people have a broader idea of what the term "conflict" comprises, the majority of people use the common definition related to destruction and negativity.Practical implicationsOpens up a discussion revolving around the concept of conflict and dispels the commonly held definition that conflict is always detrimental.Originality/valueThe paper takes an alternative view of conflict and opens up the little‐held discussion around the term itself and its negative connotations.

Organizations are involving employees to help reduce costs to succeed in the intensely competitive marketplace. However, many researchers have been skeptical of the value of participation. This study uses Deutsch's theory of cooperation and competition to examine the critical mediating variable of the interaction as employees discuss how to reduce costs. Results of structural equation analyses on data collected from interviews when employees participated in reducing costs indicate that cooperative goals contributed to constructive discussion among employees that resulted in productive work and stronger relationships, which in turn led employees to be committed to reducing costs. Competitive goals were negatively correlated with dynamics and outcomes. These results suggest that researchers and managers can agree that employee involvement has potential but employees need cooperative goals and skills to discuss issues open-mindedly and constructively to realize these benefits.

How employees depend and interact with each other can affect their ability to solve problems and implement innovations. Fifty retail store personnel were interviewed on specific difficulties they had to cope with as they used their new laser scanning technology. Results indicate that cooperative goals and interaction contributed to progress, efficiency, and confidence. The study identifies antecedents to cooperative and competitive goals and categorizes and describes cooperative and competitive problem-solving behaviors and their consequences on the organization.

AbstractThe consequences of restructuring depend upon the conditions under which it is implemented. This study documents that cooperative goals are a powerful antecedent of successful restructuring. Employees from a telecommunications company that had undergone considerable restructuring were interviewed using the critical incident method. When placed in a new structure, employees who had cooperative goals had positive expectations, exchanged information and ideas, worked efficiently, and developed confidence that they would work productively in the future. Evidence also suggests the antecedents for goal interdependence and specifies the varied consequences of restructuring.RésuméLes conséquences d'une restructuration dépendent des conditions dans lesquelles elle a été effectuée. Cette étude se propose de montrer que si l'on a des objectifs demandant de la coopération, la restructuration réussira beaucoup mieux.On a interviewé les employés d'une compagnie de télécommunication qui avait effectué une restructuration considérable. Ces entrevues ont utilisé la méthode de l'incident critique. On a trouvé qu'après la restructuration, les employés qui avaient des objectifs demandant la coopération s'attendaient à des résultats positifs, échangeaient des renseignements et des idées, travail‐laient efficacement et avaient bon espoir de travailler productivement à l'avenir. Les résultats suggèrent aussi quels sont les antécédents nécessaires à l'interdépendance des objectifs et spécifient diverses conséquences de la restructuration.