Document Type : Review
Authors
1 . PhD Candidate ,Department of Leadership and Human Capital, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Leadership and Human Capital, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Leadership and Human Capital, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature Department, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran.
Abstract
This study aims to systematically review published research to examine the role of humor in managing and reducing interpersonal and organizational conflicts. To this end, a comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and 40 relevant articles were analyzed. The findings indicate that the effectiveness of humor in conflict management depends on contextual factors, including the individual characteristics of the actors, the organizational structure and culture, and the nature of the conflict situation. Different types of humor (constructive and destructive), the situational awareness of the speaker and listener, and mediating mechanisms such as discursive and behavioral techniques and face management play a decisive role in individual and organizational outcomes. The review results show that conscious, ethical, and context-appropriate humor prevents the escalation of conflict by reducing face threat, mitigating negative emotions, facilitating communication, and enhancing double-loop learning, thereby contributing to improved relationship quality, cooperation, and team cohesion. Conversely, inappropriate or destructive use of humor can lead to misunderstandings, the weakening of professional relationships, and the intensification of conflict. These findings underscore the necessity of training communication skills and the purposeful application of humor by managers and human resource specialists as a complementary strategy for the effective management of organizational conflicts. Furthermore, this study facilitates a clearer depiction of the research landscape and the identification of future research directions.
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