Open-Minded Discussion: A Meta-Analytic Evaluation of Cooperation and Competition Theory

Despite the extensive attention to open-minded discussion, definitive conclusions remain scarce. Drawing on cooperation and competition theory, we propose a theoretical framework of open-minded discussion and explore the moderators. On the basis of 104 primary studies, a meta-analytic investigation shows that goal interdependence influences open-minded discussion that in turn affects outcomes, including performance, creativity, relationship, LMX, and commitment. Specifically, organizational members with cooperative goals discuss issues open-mindedly that in turn promote organizational effectiveness, whereas organizational members with competitive goals and independent goals discuss issues with a low level of open-mindedness that in turn have less organizational effectiveness. In addition, we explore three moderators: culture (eastern cultures and western cultures), level of analysis (incident, individual and team level), and research area (goal interdependence and conflict management). Moderation results show that cultures and level of analysis have moderation effects, and research area has no moderation effect. Through the meta-analytic investigation, we test the theory of cooperation and competition and expand the research on open-minded discussion.