Abstract
We extend Gelfand and Realo's (1999) argument that accountability motivates negotiators from relationally-focused cultures to use a more pro-relationship approach during negotiations. Our research shows that the effect they predict is found only when the other negotiating partner is an in-group member. Specifically, in two studies involving participants from China (a relationally-focused culture) and the US (a less relationally-focused culture), we found that only when negotiating with an in-group member are Chinese participants under high accountability more likely to use a pro-relationship approach than those under low accountability. Consequently, the differences between Chinese and American participants in the use of a pro-relationship approach occur only when they negotiate with an in-group member under high accountability. The strong attention to relationships, however, results in higher fixed-pie perceptions and lower joint gains. The implications of our findings for theory and practice are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 221-234 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes |
Volume | 117 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2012 |
Keywords
- Accountability
- Chinese
- Culture
- Fixed-pie perception
- In-group
- Negotiation
- Relationship
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Psychology
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management