Conflict Management Strategies

The assignment content discusses the concept of conflict management in an organization. It identifies four types of conflicts: interpersonal, intrapersonal, intra-group, and inter-group conflicts. The text highlights the importance of effective communication, cultural and social events, mediator, reasoning and judgment, and trust building to resolve these conflicts. The summary also includes references to various studies and research papers on conflict management.

Running head: CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
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1CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Types of Conflict
Interpersonal conflict –
“First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you.
And then they build monuments to you.” ― Nicholas Klein
According to Fisher, Kelman & Nan (2013) Interpersonal conflict refers to the conflict
between the two individuals, this type of conflict generally occurs when there is difference I
opinion or difference between the interest between two individuals. The reason behind this type
of conflict is that people are different from each other. Different people have different
personalities and there is difference in their view points which becomes the reason for the
conflict. It occurs when people fid difficult to adjust wit others in social interpersonal
interactions and dealings. Although, this type of conflict is good if it is merely based on the
difference in opinions of the individual, it shows that the individuals have their own opinions
which is not influenced by the opinion of others. It helps in personal growth. If the conflicts are
too severe, then it requires a mediator would resolve the conflict (Fisher, Kelman & Nan, 2013).
Intrapersonal conflict
“I wish I could tell you how lonely I am. How cold and harsh it is here. Everywhere there is
conflict and unkindness. I think God has forsaken this place. I believe I have seen hell and it's
white, it's snow-white.” ― Sandy Welch
Intrapersonal conflict is conflict within individual, it occurs when a individual is in
turmoil with his or her own values, principles and emotions. This type of conflict has more to do
with the ethics of an individual, usually an individual when has to take certain decision,

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considers a number of factors, this factors often are against each other and create turmoil, it
creates a situation of doubt for the person and they think about the consequences of the
decisions. Intrapersonal conflicts arises in every individual, it depends o the type of the
personality the individual has and the situation he or she faces. This type of conflict is good
because it lets the individuals do reasoning and increases their thinking capacity (Fisher, Kelman
& Nan, 2013).
Intra group conflict
As mentioned by Sherif (2015) This type of conflict occurs within a group, generally
people in any particular group as different opinions that is because they are different individuals
and they have different interests as well. This type of conflict is not good for the team spirit of
any particular group and it immediately needs to be resolved so that the group members can
work in coordination. Intra group conflict occurs due to misunderstandings and lack of
communication as well. If there is too much competitive feeling among the individuals then there
are chances that this conflict will be more severe and often create problem for the team to
accomplish their group objectives (Vol. 29).
Inter group conflicts
This type of conflict occurs between two groups, it occurs when there competitive feeling
between two groups or the interests of two groups collide or the groups find it difficult to adjust
with each others. This can occur in an organizations when two groups or two departments have
different have different goals and objectives and yet they have to work and align their goals and
objectives. The conflict between departments often affects the productivity of an organization
(Homan et al., 2014).

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Inter organizational conflict
"A good manager doesn't try to eliminate conflict; he tries to keep it from wasting the energies of
his people. If you're the boss and your people fight you openly when they think that you are
wrong--that's healthy."-Robert Townsend
This type of conflict occurs mainly due to industry rivalry, when two organizations
compete in the same market there are more chances of occurrence of such conflicts.
Another most important type of conflict that occur in an organization is the conflict
between the employees and management.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts can be resolved by following ways
Communication
“Conflict can and should be handled constructively; when it is, relationships benefit. Conflict
avoidance is *not* the hallmark of a good relationship. On the contrary, it is a symptom of
serious problems and of poor communication.” ― Harriet B. Braiker
According to Katz & Flynn (2013) Making the communication channel proper can
resolve the problem of conflicts in an organization, if individuals communicate with each other
the there will be less difficult for them to adjust with each other (p. 393- 410). Communication
is that factor whose presence and absence can resolve and create the conflicts. People in an
organization are required to communicate with each other so that there is no conflict. The
communication should be effective and proper channels and methods should be used in an

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organization so that there is no room for miscommunication ending up in conflict (Hybels,
2014).
Cultural and social events-
‘If war is the violent resolution of conflict, then peace is not the absence of conflict, but rather,
the ability to resolve conflict without violence” -C.T. Lawrence Butler
If there are social events organized in an organization more often individuals will get a
chance to interact with each other and get two each other, there communication and interaction
will not be restricted to their own groups or departments. Mutual communication and
understanding paves way towards peace that allows resolving conflicts or avoiding without use
of violence.
Mediator- Mediator can often help resolve the issue if there is too much conflict
Reasoning and judgment-
“Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It
would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years
ago.” -Horace Mann
Intrapersonal conflicts though cannot be prevented because it will occur and it is good for
individuals to have intrapersonal conflicts, they can increase their reasoning and judging
capabilities so that they come to good conclusions and take fair decisions (Wallensteen, 2015).
Trust building
“Ideas and not battle mark the forward progress of mankind”- L. Ron Hubbard

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According to Balliet and Van Lange (2013) Trust building in an organization is very
important because it helps the individuals to work in coordination with less conflict. Trust can
further be build based upon the idea on the idea one has perceived. It is very important for people
who work with each other to put trust and rely on each others, because lack of trust can create
problems within a organization. Conflict also occurs between the management and the
employees, they lack trust, so trust building in such cases is very important (p. 1090).

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References
Balliet, D., & Van Lange, P. A. (2013). Trust, conflict, and cooperation: A meta-
analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 139(5), 1090.
Fisher, R. J., Kelman, H. C., & Nan, S. A. (2013). Conflict analysis and resolution.
Homan, A. C., Redeker, M., de Vries, R. E., Ayoko, O. B., Ashkanasy, N. M., & Jehn, K. A.
(2014). Intragroup conflict and the interpersonal leadership circumplex: Matching
leadership behaviors to conflict types. Handbook of conflict management research, 427.
Hybels, S. (2014). Communicating effectively. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Katz, N. H., & Flynn, L. T. (2013). Understanding conflict management systems and strategies
in the workplace: A pilot study. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 30(4), 393-410.
Kerzner, H. (2013). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Sherif, M. (2015). Group conflict and co-operation: Their social psychology (Vol. 29).
Psychology Press.
Wallensteen, P. (2015). Understanding conflict resolution. Sage.