Conflict Analysis Factors

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Conflict Analysis

"Which of the concepts discussed is the most significant in analyzing conflicts (communication, psychodynamics, social identity, conflict style, power, culture, and, face-saving)?"

What is conflict?

Robbins and Coulter (2004) noted that as a group performs its assigned tasks, disagreements or conflicts inevitably arise. These authors further define conflict as "perceived incompatible differences resulting in some form of interference or opposition." Robbins ( 1998) elaborated its definition in another book by saying that conflict is a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected , or is about to negatively affect, something that the first party cares about. This definition indicates that the main issue is that of perception. If only there are no perceptions that have negatively affected another or is about to negatively affect him, conflict may not have existed between two or among several persons or organizations. Because of such perception, incompatibility arises.

Moorhead and Griffin (2010) also define conflict as a process resulting in the perception of two parties that they are working in opposition to each other in ways that result in feelings of discomfort and animosity.

The definitions of conflict indicate that conflict starts with the perception of some form of differences or disagreement between the parties involved. The parties may be individuals, groups, or organizations

Forms of conflict:
1. Task conflict
These are conflicts regarding the goals and content of the work. Managers may be in conflict with each other if one gives priority to social responsibility while another gives priority to the maximization of profit. A manager that focuses on maximum profit may consider fulfillment of social responsibility such as giving donations to orphanages as expenses and must be reduced.
2. Process conflict
This type of conflict exists when the parties involved agree on the goals and objectives but disagree on how these can be achieved. An example of this is in the case of marketing people. They may agree on the goal as ...