Section 7: Managing Conflict

Section 7: Managing Conflict

What is Conflict?

Reflection

• Is conflict inevitable in your organisation? Please list the three major reasons why conflicts occur in your organisation. Remember that conflicts can vary from relatively minor disagreements to major disputes.

• Your answers may have included:– organisational change;– changing managerial roles;– staffing problems;– time and resource constraints; and– dealing with customers.

A classic framework for viewing employment relationships

Conflicts can arise at a number of levels:

Examining Positive and Negative Aspects of Conflict

• conflict is inevitable means the management task is not to eliminate conflict but rather to manage it, to produce creative/positive rather than destructive/negative outcomes.

Reflection

• List (a) five positive outcomes and (b) five negative outcomes that you have observed emanating from conflict situations.