Purpose

How to depict conflict characteristics? Previous literature has overwhelmingly used intensity and frequency of conflict, resulting in an incomplete understanding of conflict itself and its impacts. To fill this knowledge gap, this paper aims to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework for conflict attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a systematic and integrative literature review, this study has achieved the objectives by synthesizing the current state of knowledge on conflict and borrowing insights from event system theory.

Findings

A total of 16 conflict attributes were identified to constitute the event-oriented conceptualization of conflict, describing conflict from three dimensions – strength, time and space. Four promising areas for future conflict inquiry are proposed: linking the effectiveness of conflict to its attributes; exploring the interplay and configuration of multiple conflict attributes; progressing from variance- to process-oriented conflict theories; and developing symmetric/asymmetric views of conflict.

Originality/value

This paper conceptually clarifies conflict attributes from the event perspective and offers a nuanced understanding of conflict, which contributes to the current fragmented knowledge of conflict attributes. Scholars can build on this study’s findings to fill gaps and move conflict research forward. It also enhances researchers’ awareness of time and space and thus encourages more longitudinal exploration into the dynamics of conflict.

中文翻译：

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走向以事件为导向的冲突概念化：对三十年冲突研究的反思

目的

如何刻画冲突特征？以往的文献大多使用冲突的强度和频率，导致对冲突本身及其影响的理解不完整。为了填补这一知识空白，本文旨在开发一个全面的冲突属性理论框架。

设计/方法/途径

通过系统和综合的文献回顾，本研究综合了冲突知识的现状并借鉴了事件系统理论的见解，从而实现了目标。

发现

共确定了 16 个冲突属性，构成了面向事件的冲突概念化，从强度、时间和空间三个维度描述了冲突。提出了未来冲突调查的四个有前途的领域：将冲突的有效性与其属性联系起来；探索多种冲突属性的相互作用和配置；从方差到过程导向的冲突理论的进展；发展对称/不对称的冲突观。

原创性/价值

本文从事件的角度从概念上阐明了冲突属性，并提供了对冲突的细致入微的理解，这有助于当前对冲突属性的零散认识。学者们可以基于这项研究的发现来填补空白并推动冲突研究向前发展。它还增强了研究人员对时间和空间的认识，从而鼓励对冲突动态进行更多纵向探索。