From April 2–5, 2025, Prof. Xiji Zhu and PhD student Yu Yang attended the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, USA. They showcased their collaborative poster, “Rethinking Task Conflict: Unveiling Its Adverse Effects on Workplace Social Inclusion for Employees Without Disabilities”.
The study explores how task conflict in disability-inclusive workplaces triggers contempt among employees without disabilities through cognitive appraisal processes, ultimately undermining social inclusion. Key findings highlight the role of perceived social support in mitigating these effects by encouraging situational attributions and diverse perspectives. The research bridges gaps in understanding inclusion dynamics, emphasizing the responsibility of non-disabled employees in fostering equitable environments.
During the conference, Prof. Zhu and PhD student Yang engaged in insightful discussions with Dr. Debora Gottardello, a renowned scholar in neurodiversity from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Their dialogue addressed critical topics such as workplace neurodiversity, the intersectional identities of minority groups, and strategies to enhance social inclusion in organizational settings.