When Debate Retains: Mild vs. Intense Task Conflict and Turnover Intention

Abstract: Task conflict shows inconsistent links with turnover intention. Drawing on conflict expression theory, we distinguish between mild (debates) and intense (clashes) task conflict and examine how each shapes turnover intention via perceived coworker openness and emotions. Across a vignette experiment (N = 400) and a three-wave survey of full-time employees (N = 508), mild task conflict reduced turnover intention by increasing coworker openness, boosting positive emotions, and lowering negative emotions. Intense task conflict showed the opposite effects. Learning activities also predicted lower turnover intention through the same mediators. However, higher learning activities weakened the beneficial indirect effects of mild task conflict on turnover intention via perceived coworker openness and negative emotions, suggesting that learning activities can partially substitute for advantages of mild task conflict.

Keywords: Conflict Management, Task Conflict, Turnover Intention, Learning Activities, Experiment, Three-wave Survey