When faultlines are created: Exploring the conflict triggering process in sport

Highlights

•	Exploring proposed associations within the conflict triggering process.
•	Identifying the role of social identity formation and task-related faultlines.
•	Highlighting interwoven intergroup and intragroup processes in sport.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to advance theoretical understanding of the relationship between task conflict and relationship conflict (i.e., triggering process) by discussing the role of social identity as a mediating factor. Specifically, the authors’ proposed theoretical model emphasizes the consequences of intense, long-lasting task conflict by mapping the connection to workgroup identity formation and relationship conflict. The authors apply social identity theory to provide a new lens through which to view the impact of intense, long-lasting task conflict that goes unmanaged in sport organizations. Further, the authors provide several testable propositions regarding identity and subgroup formation that point to major factors influencing the development of relationship conflict within groups. The authors’ propositions bolster current sport management theory by emphasizing how intergroup and intragroup processes are interwoven.

Keywords:

• Theoretical model
• Conflict
• Social identity