When Conflict Tests Collaboration: How Innovation Keeps Helping Alive

What is it about?

This study examines why relationship conflict—emotional tension between coworkers—reduces employees’ willingness to help others, and what can buffer this effect. Using Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, it argues that when workplace relationships become strained, employees experience resource loss—particularly in terms of self-esteem and trust—which makes them withdraw from voluntary helping. However, employees’ innovation propensity, or their natural enjoyment of generating new ideas, can protect them from these draining effects. Survey data from 190 employees in a Spanish protective equipment company show that conflict makes employees doubt their colleagues’ goodwill trust, leading to less helping behavior. They begin to believe others might take advantage of them, so they conserve emotional energy instead of assisting coworkers. Yet, employees who are creative and idea-oriented react differently: their innovation drive helps them reinterpret conflict as a challenge rather than a threat. These employees maintain trust and continue supporting others despite emotional tension. The results suggest that creativity and helping are intertwined under pressure. Innovation-oriented employees not only preserve their own well-being but also sustain collaboration that benefits the organization. For managers, the message is clear: fostering innovative engagement can help teams remain cooperative even when relationships are strained, transforming conflict into an opportunity for resilience and growth.

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Photo by Redd Francisco on Unsplash

Photo by Redd Francisco on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is unique in showing how innovation propensity—a personal creative resource—moderates the damaging link between relationship conflict, low goodwill trust, and reduced helping behavior. By integrating COR theory with interpersonal dynamics, it reveals that employees’ creative motivation can interrupt a negative emotional spiral, preserving collaboration and mutual support even in conflict-laden environments. It is also timely, as organizations increasingly rely on teamwork amid high stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain. Conducted in Spain, a cultural setting that blends collectivism with high uncertainty avoidance, the study demonstrates that creativity not only fuels innovation but also protects social harmony. The findings highlight a practical insight for leaders: nurturing curiosity and idea generation helps employees maintain trust and prosocial behavior, even when workplace relationships become tense.