Workplace Territorial Behaviors: A Conceptual Model of the Impact of Employees’ Territorial Behaviors on Conflict and Outcomes in Diverse Teams

31 Pages Posted: 10 Dec 2009

See all articles by Oluremi (Remi) B. Ayoko

Oluremi (Remi) B. Ayoko

University of Queensland - Business School

Neal M. Ashkanasy

University of Queensland - Business School; University of Queensland

Karen A. Jehn

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Business School

Date Written: June 15, 2009

Abstract

Workplace territoriality, while a subject of on-going inquiry in environmental psychology, has been relatively ignored in conflict research. For example, we know that contemporary organizations spend millions redesigning workspaces, and incur more millions in damage as a result of the need to manage conflict, negative emotions, and counterproductive behaviors caused by workplace territoriality. This issue can be especially acute in an open-plan office (e.g., no physical barriers such as walls or doors to create a transparent fluid space), especially when the workforce is diverse. We address this issue in a conceptual model of the impact of office design on conflict and its effects on outcomes in diverse teams over time. Specifically, our model depicts features of the office space (e.g., layout, noise) as leading to employees’ territorial behaviors, conflict, and outcomes. We also propose that these effects can be ameliorated by specific moderators such as conflict training that is especially focused on managing territorial behaviors. Implications for theory, research and practice discussed.

Suggested Citation

Ayoko, Oluremi (Remi) B. and Ashkanasy, Neal M. and Jehn, Karen A., Workplace Territorial Behaviors: A Conceptual Model of the Impact of Employees’ Territorial Behaviors on Conflict and Outcomes in Diverse Teams (June 15, 2009). 22nd Annual IACM Conference Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1484772 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1484772

Oluremi (Remi) B. Ayoko (Contact Author)

University of Queensland - Business School ( email )

Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia
61 + 7 3381 1082 (Phone)
61+ 7 3381 1053 (Fax)

Neal M. Ashkanasy

University of Queensland - Business School ( email )

Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

University of Queensland ( email )

St Lucia
Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

Karen A. Jehn

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Business School ( email )

200 Leicester Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053 3186
Australia

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