The Role of Cross-Cultural Factors in Integrative Conflict Resolution and Crisis Communication

This article offers an integrated theoretical and policy-oriented framework for cross-cultural conflict resolution by exploring relationships among conflict resolution styles and crisis communicative strategies with emphasis on both conflict structure and cross-cultural factors. Using the Hainan negotiation between China and the United States as a case study, the factors inherent in conflict are investigated with respect to Chinese cultural characteristics. The congruence of the Chinese context with integrative conflict management is explored. The analysis indicated that the use of mediators and consideration of renqing (favor) and mianzi (face), which are central resources in Chinese interpersonal interactions, are likely to contribute to an integrative conflict solution.