Workplace Conflict
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CONFLICT<br />
Organizational Behaviour<br />
Dr. Paul Balwant<br />
What is <strong>Conflict</strong>?<br />
A process in which one party perceives that its interests are being opposed or<br />
negatively affected by another party.<br />
Transitions in <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
There are various views of conflict including:<br />
Traditional View<br />
Human Relations View<br />
Interactionist View<br />
<strong>Conflict</strong> is not always<br />
bad. Certain types of<br />
conflict can lead to positive<br />
outcomes in the<br />
workplace.<br />
Popular and Emerging Views of <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
1. Optimal <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
2. Task and Relationship <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
In This Booklet<br />
Define <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
Views of <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
The <strong>Conflict</strong> Process<br />
Handling <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
Structural Approaches<br />
to <strong>Conflict</strong> Management<br />
Click on the above video for details on conflict and views of conflict
<strong>Conflict</strong> at<br />
L’Oréal<br />
At L’Oréal Canada, certain managers<br />
must manage communications<br />
between subsidiaries and headquarters.<br />
Towards the end of the article, you<br />
can read how cross-cultural differences<br />
in communication can be a<br />
source of conflict when dealing<br />
with coworkers from different cultures.<br />
Click the above video for details on the conflict process<br />
The <strong>Conflict</strong> Process<br />
<strong>Conflict</strong> typically occurs through a series of stages as shown in the above video.<br />
These stages are as follows:<br />
Click the photo below to read the<br />
article. In particular, read the last<br />
point in the article titled “Bridging<br />
differences between subsidiaries<br />
and headquarters”.<br />
Sources of <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
The conflict process begins with a source/s of conflict. Here, one or both parties<br />
perceive that conflict exists.<br />
<strong>Conflict</strong> Perceptions and Emotions<br />
Perceptions of conflict interact with emotions experienced.<br />
Manifest <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
Emotions then lead to conflict episodes, i.e., conflict manifests into behaviours.<br />
Click the photo for the article<br />
<strong>Conflict</strong> Escalation Cycle<br />
<strong>Conflict</strong> typically occurs in a series of episodes.<br />
<strong>Conflict</strong> Outcomes<br />
Outcomes of conflict can be positive or negative.
<strong>Conflict</strong><br />
Management<br />
Styles<br />
Should you use a yielding<br />
(accommodating) style or<br />
be more forceful<br />
(competing)?<br />
Perhaps the situation<br />
calls for a compromise or<br />
maybe problem-solving is<br />
an option?<br />
Are there any situations<br />
when we should just<br />
avoid conflict altogether?<br />
Click the two videos on<br />
the right to learn more<br />
about conflict management<br />
styles.<br />
Click the above video for details on handling conflict<br />
Handling <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
People respond to conflict in different ways. Click HERE to determine your preferred<br />
conflict management style. While we all tend to prefer cetain conflict management<br />
styles, each style can be useful depending on the situation. In addition to<br />
the above video, click below to see more on conflict management styles.
Structural Approaches to <strong>Conflict</strong><br />
Management<br />
Managers can use various approaches to manage conflict. Some approaches<br />
include:<br />
Emphasize Superordinate Goals<br />
Common objectives may reduce goal incompatibility.<br />
Improve Communication/Understanding<br />
Use dialogue and see the Johari window.<br />
Reduce Differentiation and Interdependence<br />
Move employees around. Combine jobs and create buffers.<br />
Increase Resources<br />
Increase amount of available resources.<br />
Clarify Rules and Procedures<br />
Establish rules and clarify individuals’ roles and responsibilities.<br />
Click the above video for details on the conflict process<br />
Learn More at<br />
ScholarlyNerd.com<br />
Dr. Paul Balwant<br />
Lecturer<br />
The University of the West Indies