New research shows that employees in the Netherlands, Spain and Denmark are the keenest reconcilers when conflicts arise in the workplace.

14 March 2006

AMSTERDAM - New research shows that employees in the Netherlands, Spain and Denmark are the keenest reconcilers when conflicts arise in the workplace.

Executives from Italy, Germany and Russia are more likely to go straight over their bosses' heads.

The consultancy International Marketing Partners carried out their research to find out how different countries deal with conflict with the boss, especially disagreements arising as promotions are litigated, salary reviewed and executive bonuses questioned. 

The survey also asked participants what their preferred ways of dealing with conflicts with superiors were.

Seeking agreement is first option for all nationalities

Out of the 18 countries surveyed, 11 preferred seeking agreement with their boss as the first option, with over 60 percent of these countries respondents doing so. Amongst the other preferred methods were; do what is best for the business while knowing your boss's point of view and seek resolution by escalating the matter to your bosses superiors or let it pass.

Dutch are keen reconcilers

Executives in the Netherlands were the keenest reconcilers with 82 percent of Dutch workers taking the harmonious route. Out of the Spanish executives, 79 percent would seek reconciliation first and 75 percent of the Danes.

Japanese put company first

However, fewer than half of the Indian or Italian business professionals would take this route with only 10 percent of Japanese employees seeking reconciliation. In Japan over three in four said they would do what was best for the company regardless of their boss's point of view. Of the Chinese respondents, 44 percent agreed with this approach.

Italians, Germans and Russians power play

Those nationalities most likely to snitch, or go over their boss's heads, were the Italians, Germans and Russians. The least likely to let such matters escalate were the Mexicans, Dutch or Chinese, with each choosing this method only 8 percent of the time.

Americans let it pass

The Americans were the most likely of all the nationalities surveyed to let the disagreement pass as would the British, Indians, Australians and Canadians.

The Mexicans, Chinese, Italians, Germans and Dutch, would be willing to consider every option before leaving a difficult situation alone.

What is interesting according to Allyson Stewart-Allen, Director, International Marketing Partners, is "that the Americans, British, French, and Canadians all have similar profiles for confronting the boss, while in reality they consider themselves to have very different working practices."

[Copyright Expatica 2006]