Revision as of 17:23, 3 August 2017

Definition of Conflict

• Conflict is an escalation of a disagreement, and is characterized by the existence of conflict behavior, in which people inolved are actively trying to damage one another.

(Nicholson, 1992)

• An interactive process manifested in incompatibility, disagreement or dissonance within or between social entities. (Rahim, 2010)

Perspectives on Conflicts

Unitary view - conflicts are bad

• Conflicts are negative and destructive
• The organization is a team where the members are expected to work towards a common goal
• The common goal is defined by the management
• Rational behavior is expected and is defined in accordance with company policy

Pluralist view - conflicts can be constructive if managed

• Controversy is a natural and constructive phenomena
• Organizations consist of different stakeholders who have different values, views, stories and goals
• Conflicts emerge as a consequence of colliding differences (controversies) that are not dealt with

Types of Conflicts

Instrumental

Tangible issues like methods, procedures and semantics.

Approach: Problem solving to find the "best" solution

Interests

Allocation of resources like time, money, labor and space

Approach: Negotiation to find an agreement - enlarge the cake

Values

Political, moral and religious values

Approach: Dialogue to reach mutual understanding

Personal

Identity, self-esteem, loyalty, rejection etc.

Approach: Dialogue to reach mutual understanding

Examples of Sources of Conflicts in Projects

"missing graph"

When Controversy becomes Conflict

"missing graph"

Balancing Conflicts and Controversies in Groups

"missing graph"

Source

Huczynski & Buchanan (2011), Hatch (1997, p.305); Robbins (1998, p.464)