Table 4.

Relationship between conflict and other constructs

Construct 1	Construct 2…	Arguments	Representative empirical findings
Trust	Conflict (−) 27 negative 3 positive	Trust of channel members to other channel members is the key to have a healthy relationship. When channel members have trust in each other, it will lead to an increase in the level of cooperation and reduction of conflict (Palmatier et al. 2007).	Palmatier et al. 2007 negative (sig) Zaheer et al. 1998 negative (sig) Ren et al. 2010 negative (sig)
Commitment	Conflict (−) 15 negative 2 positive	The commitment of one channel member to another channel member is crucial in channel relationships (Morgan and Hunt 1995). When one channel member is committed to another one, it will behave in the best interest of other channel members, which will lead to a decrease in the intensity of conflict (Morgan and Hunt 1995; Palmatier et al. 2007)	Palmatier et al. 2007 negative (sig) Ross et al. 1997 negative (sig)
Interdependence	Conflict (−) 9 Conflict (+) 6	The more interdependent the parties, the more likely they are motivated to resolve their problems and converge their interests. Therefore, interdependence positively affects the exchange outcomes, with both parties driven to resolve the conflict (Hibbard et al. 2001). However, sometimes the asymmetry of interdependence could lead to more conflict (Zhou et al. 2007).	Frazier and Rody 1991 positive (sig) Kumar et al. 1995 positive (sig) Palmatier et al. 2007 negative (sig)
Conflict	Satisfaction (−) 54 negative 6 positive	Disagreement between channel members increases the level of frustration, tension and, thereby causing dissatisfaction about the relationship (Anderson and Narus 1990; Kumar et al. 1992).	Kumar et al. 1992 negative (sig) Brown et al. 1995 negative (sig) Mohr et al. 1996 negative (sig)
Conflict	Performance (± ) 55 negative 12 positive Inverted U-shape (three studies)	There is ambiguity about the relationship between conflict and performance (Duarte and Davies 2003; Rosenbloom 1973). Conflict lead channel members focus on other channel members as opponents. Therefore, it can obstruct another party or destroy the relationship as a whole. On the other hand, lack of conflict is seen as being passive and lack of innovativeness. Conflict is seen as a leeway to creativity and finding solutions to problems. Rosenbloom (1973) tries to address this inconsistency by asserting that the conflict–performance relationship follows an inverted-U curve, where conflict is constructive at a moderate level and destructive at very low or high levels.	Jap and Ganesan 2000 negative (sig) Kumar et al. 1992, 1995 negative (sig) Ross et al. 1997 negative (sig) Webb and Hogan 2002 negative (sig) Assael 1969 positive (sig) Cronin and Baker 1993 positive (sig) Pearson 1973 (not sig) Lusch 1976 inverted-U, (not sig)