UNIT7 WHAT IS CONFLICT Conflict can be defined

UNIT-7

WHAT IS CONFLICT Conflict can be defined in many ways and can be considered as an expression of hostility , negative attitudes , aggression and misunderstanding. Conflict may emerge between different organisations or within organisations , or between organisations and their social and political environments.

• A conflict is serious disagreement or argument between two or more persons

Definitions Of Conflict • According to Joe Kelly , “ Conflict is defined as opposition or dispute between persons, groups or ideas ”. • According to Follett, “ Conflict is the appearance of difference , difference of opinions, of interests ”.

Views on conflict (1930 -1940) Traditional view: The early approach to conflict assumed that all conflict was bad. Conflict was viewed negatively, and it was usedwith such terms as violence, destruction.

conti… • Human Relations view (1940 -1970) : The human relations position argued that conflict was a natural occurrence in all groups and organizations. Since conflict was inevitable(which cannot be avoided) it is accepted and there are even times when conflict may benefit a group’s performance.

Conti… • Modern View: This view is based on the belief that conflict is not only a positive force in a group but is also necessary for a group to perform effectively. This approach encourages group leaders to maintain an ongoing minimum level of conflict – enough to keep the group viable, self-critical and creative.

Types & Patterns of Conflict • It is quite evident that to say that conflict is all good or bad is inappropriate Whether a conflict is good or bad depends on the type of conflict. There are many types of conflict

• Functional or Constructive Conflict: works toward the goals of an organization or group Constructive Increase information & ideas Encourages innovative thinking

• Dysfunctional/Destructive Conflict: blocks an organization or group from reaching its goals Tension, anxiety, stress Drives out low conflict tolerant people Reduce trust Reduce information

Task conflict - task conflict occurs when two parties are unable to move forward on a task due to differing needs, behaviors or attitudes. It can be conflict over organizational policies and procedures, distribution of resources or the method or means of completing a task

• Relationship conflict - Relationship conflict is a conflict resulting from either personality clashes or negative emotional interactions between two or more people.

Levels of Conflict . Group level Conflict Individual level Conflict Intra Individual Conflict Inter Group Conflict Organizational level Conflict Inter Organizational conflict Intra Group Conflict Intra Organizational Conflict

Intra Individual Conflict This is an Internal Conflict that involves the struggle between the character and his / her opinion. This has to do with individuals having to make choices between wrong and right or even with overcoming emotions or mixed feelings.

EXAMPLE • A father or mother tries to make a decision whether he/ she is to stay with the family or take a job in another place or country to get a better life for the family.

Inter Individual Conflict /EXTERNAL CONFLICT Inter Individual Conflict is a character (man) struggles against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacles or another character.

CHARACTER VS. CHARACTER • A character struggling against another character mental or physical. Example: Two persons fighting.

CHARACTER (MAN) VS. NATURE A character struggling with the forces or elements of nature ( natural disaster , Flood etc. ) that is beyond his/ her control but the struggle is usually done for survival.

CHARACTER (MAN) VS. SOCIETY The struggle between a character or a group of characters fighting against the rules or laws that govern the society in which he/ she lives. Example: Religion and Politics

Intra Group Conflict (With in the group): Intra group conflict refers to disputes among some or all of a group’s members, which often affect the group’s performance.

Inter group Conflicts (Between groups) • Inter group conflict arises out of the interaction of various groups. Inter group conflict, refers to the conflict between groups, departments between groups is frequent and highly visible.

Intra Organizational Conflict: • The conflict which arises with in various levels and departments of organization. Various kinds are: I. Horizontal Conflict II. Vertical Conflict

Inter Organizational Conflict Inter organizational interaction results in conflict among different organizations. How ever, it is not necessary that such interaction may result in conflict.

The most common conflict occurred in organization • • • Lockouts. Strikes. Issues related with performance appraisals. Resistance to change. Conflicts related with emotions. Conflicts due to frustrations.

SOURCES OF CONFLICT Definition There is rarely a single cause of violent conflict, although it may be triggered by a single event. Rather, there are multiple causes.

SOURCES OF CONFLICT There are different types of causes of conflict which are as follows. 1. Conflicting Resources We all need access to certain resources to do our jobs well. When more than one person or group need access to a particular resource, conflict can occur.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Conflicting Resources Win-Win Negotiation Influence Model

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 2. Conflicting Styles Everyone works differently, according to his or her individual needs and personality. For example, some people love thrill of getting things done at the last minute, while others need the structure of strict deadlines to perform. However, when working styles clash, conflict can often occur.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Conflicting Styles Myers-Briggs Personality Test

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 3. Conflicting Perception All of us see the world through our own lens, and differences in perceptions of events can cause conflict, particularly where one person knows something that the other person doesn't know, but doesn't realize this conflict can often occur.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Conflicting Perception Communicating openly with your team

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 4. Conflicting Goals Sometimes we have conflicting goals in our work. For example, one of our managers might tell us that speed is most important goal with customers. Another manager might say that indepth, high-quality service is the top priority. It's sometimes quite difficult to reconcile the two, conflict can often occur.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Conflicting Goals Goal must be clear

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 5. Conflicting Pressures We often have to depend on our colleagues to get our work done. However, what happens when you need a report from your colleague by noon, and he's already preparing a different report for someone else by that same deadline. Conflicting pressures are similar to conflicting goals, the only difference is that conflicting pressures usually involve urgent tasks, while conflicting goals typically involve projects with longer timelines.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Conflicting Pressures Reschedule tasks and deadlines.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 6. Conflicting Roles Sometimes we have to perform a task that's outside our normal role or responsibilities. If this causes us to step into someone else's "territory, " then conflict and power struggles can occur. The same can happen in reverse sometimes we may feel that a particular task should be completed bysomeone else. Conflicting roles are similar to conflicting perceptions. After all, one team member may view a task as his or her responsibility or territory. But when someone else comes in to take over that task, conflict occurs.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Conflicting Roles Team Character

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 7. Personality Differences Imagine that your boss has just asked you to perform a task that conflicts with your ethical standards. Do you do as your boss asks, or do you refuse? If you refuse, will you lose your boss's trust, or even your job. When our work conflicts with our personal values like this, conflict can quickly arise.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Personality Differences Ethical Leadership

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 8. Misunderstandings Substandard communication is one of the top reasons for conflict in and out of the office. Incomplete or inaccurate data or information can lead to conflict. Often these conflicts involve disagreements over what is best in a given situation.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Misunderstandings Effective Listening Techniques Keep Records of Communications

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 9. Competition Sometimes quotas and incentives can make it easy to forget the big picture. We stop seeing others as team members and start to see them as competitors. Healthy competition is a good motivator, but sometimes it inspires antiproductive behaviour and conflict arise.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT Tools to Over-Come Competition Managing your own Emotions

STAGES OF CONFLICT Stage 1 Stage 2 Analysis Confrontation Decide strategy Story telling Dictation Arbitration Negotiation Identify all conflict sources Stage 3 Resolution • Brainstorm solutions • Choose solution • Agree to monitor/change

STAGES OF CONFLICT STAGE 1: ANALYSIS �Determine best strategy to use � Dictation � Arbitration � Negotiation �Identify all sources of conflict

STAGES OF CONFLICT STAGE 1: ANALYSIS �Dictation is best when: � parties are irrational � no trust exists � too angry to be realistic � have mental health issues � alcohol or drugs are involved � when violent behavior is potential � parties have poor communication skills � there are time constraints

STAGES OF CONFLICT STAGE 1: ANALYSIS �Negotiation is best when: � parties are rational � parties want to work out a solution together � some trust still exists � there are no time constraints �Arbitration � same as mediation but use when parties get stuck during mediation

STAGES OF CONFLICT STAGE 1: ANALYSIS FISHER URY’S NEGOTIATION MODEL �Don’t react �Don’t argue �Don’t reject �Don’t push �Minimize escalation

STAGES OF CONFLICT STAGE 2: CONFRONTATION �Story Telling

Stages of conflict Stage 3: Resolution Problem and sources have been identified Alternative resolutions are brainstormed Mutually agreeable solution chosen Agreement to monitor changes in the future

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