ABE Diploma Level 1 - Organisational Behaviour Conflicts 1. What is a conflict?

In simple terms, it is non agreement between two or more parties regarding certain matter. It may be said as non cooperation between the management and the managed. 2.

What are the sources of Conflict? Individuals personality, stress, attitudes Departments marketing Vs production Management styles used to manage people Groups out of group norms and informal organization Communication failures. What are the reasons of conflict in organizational?

3.

Differences between individual and corporate goals. Limited resources one printer to two departments Departmentalization Independence in work activities Conflicts between individual and the job Conflicts between the manager and the managed. External environment also causes conflict. Intense competition, government regulations. Individuals & groups who try to exceed one and other to achieve goals. What do you think about conflicts?

4.

Conflicts are counterproductive Conflicting groups basically withhold cooperation. It blocks others from obtaining the resources they need One department may blame another department marketing will blame customer care dept. What should a manager do to identify conflicts and solve them?

5.

Finding out whether there are conflicts will involve identifying the following: First a manger should find out whether all the resources (e.g. machinery, people, supplies, & materials) have been properly allocated. Is the conflict based on real problems and issues? Is it the personality differences of those involved?
Prepared by Nishan Wimalachandra Conflicts Please refer a relevant study material Page 2 www.nishanw.org

Is the conflict a temporary condition?

If the manager identified conflicts how to solve them? If the conflict is temporary, a passive leadership approach is best. If the conflict is longstanding problem, the leader should confront it without delay. Having a Organizational Development Technique (OD) is necessary. E.g. consulting an interventionist or facilitator who will meet with each of the person in conflict separately and together. OD approach is time-consuming process, but is helps an organization to establish productive leadership.

6.

Are there only negative outcomes of conflicts, or do you think conflicts may have positive out comes?

Conflicts though seen as negative have many positive outcomes because,

Suppression of conflict may be destructive to the organization as a whole. Open outcome of conflicts is a healthy sign. Interpersonal and interdepartmental conflicts can lead to the development and refinement of improved ideas due to the challenge and defense of established views. Conflicts may force people to search for new approaches and accommodations to existing problems, and these may prove more effective. Conflicts encourage longstanding problems and feelings to come out in the open. This assists in their effective resolution so improving future relationships. Conflict provides a context in which individuals are able to refine and define their own views and understanding of the organizations world.

Prepared by Nishan Wimalachandra

Conflicts

Please refer a relevant study material Page 2

www.nishanw.org