Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to find out how different conflict management styles adopted by the GIO's Public Diplomats affect their interaction and communication with their colleagues at other divisions under TECRO/TECO. Specifically, the study examined the coordination and collaboration between GIO's field offices and other parallel departments from Taiwanese government under the matrix of TECRO/TECO. The study also assessed the excellence and performance of the GIO's Public Diplomats in collaboration with their colleagues on how to implement Taiwan's public diplomacy. Theoretical framework. The theoretical framework of this study is based on the research foundations of organizational conflict theory, conflict management theory, public relations theory, international relations theory, communication management theory, and excellence theory. Methodology. This study used the ROCI-II instrument to measure how the GIO PDs/FSOs adopt conflict management styles to resolve a miscommunication and/or communication conflict with their peers/colleagues from other divisions under TECRO/TECO in the practice of Taiwan's public diplomacy. Major finding. This study found that the GIO Public Diplomats preferred using the integrating style as the most dominant style to resolve their miscommunication and/or communication conflict with their colleagues at TECRO/TECO. The study also found that the characteristics of GIO Public Diplomats (gender, education level, study abroad, previous assigned post, communication training experience) affected their adoption of conflict management styles as well as their practice of public diplomacy in the U.S. Conclusions and recommendations. This study showed that a problem of miscommunication and/or conflict existed between the GIO Public Diplomats and other Foreign Service Officers at different divisions under TECRO/TECO due to the equally confusing work lines and the parallel guidance. The promotional work of branding Taiwan suffered a division of labor and responsibility that weakened the practice of public diplomacy. A cross-cultural and qualitative study is recommended on the Public Diplomats' public relations behavior and excellence in the conduct of public diplomacy. A study is also recommended to examine how comparatively and empirically these 2 factors influence the sustainable developments of an organization from the perspective of organizational development theories.