Navigating interpersonal conflict through workplace curiosity: a multilevel analysis in intensive care units

Purpose This study aimed to explore how dimensions (i.e. deprivation, exploration, tolerance and openness) of trait and state workplace curiosity moderate the association between daily patient and coworker conflict and emotional exhaustion within intensive care units. Based on job demands-resources theory, trait and state deprivation was expected to strengthen, while trait and state exploration, tolerance and openness were expected to buffer the association between daily conflict and exhaustion. Drawing on the behavioral concordance model, employees were expected to benefit more from daily curiosity that align with their trait (i.e. trait-state fit) and less from daily curiosity that diverges from their trait (i.e. trait-state misfit). Design/methodology/approach Eighty-eight Spanish healthcare professionals were recruited from March 2023–2024. They completed a paper-and-pencil diary over five working days. Multilevel analyses were performed, with repeated measures ( n = 440) nested within individuals ( n = 88). Findings All curiosity dimensions either related negatively to daily exhaustion or buffered the positive relationship between daily conflict and exhaustion. No evidence was found for trait-state fit or misfit. However, trait and state facets from different curiosity dimensions jointly influenced emotional exhaustion resulting from daily conflict. Specifically, a higher level of one facet compensated for a lower level of the other and prevented exhaustion in conflicting conditions. However, higher levels of different curiosity dimensions simultaneously was detrimental against daily conflict. Originality/value This study tests isomorphic and concordance perspectives to identify for whom and when workplace curiosity is most likely to prevent daily exhaustion in conflicting situations at work.