Conflict Management in the Workplace: Causes, Types, and Role of Managers

Running head: CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Conflict management
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1CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Executive Summary
This study has critically evaluated the conflict and its management in the workplace. The
report has discussed the conflict and its causes along with the different types of disputes. The
role of managers in conflict resolution and management of conflict is evaluated in the study.
The conclusion of the study shows that openness in discussing the conflict and early
recognition of conflict are two essential factors for conflict management.

2CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Conflict and its Causes...............................................................................................................3
Interpersonal conflict.................................................................................................................5
Intrapersonal conflict.................................................................................................................6
Intergroup conflict......................................................................................................................7
Intragroup conflict......................................................................................................................7
Role of managers in conflict management.................................................................................8
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
References................................................................................................................................12

3CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Introduction
As stated by Afful-Broni and Tah, conflict management is an evitable part of all the
organisations in the modern industry. The workplace culture in the contemporary society has
changed significantly due to the increase in diversity and have increased the level of the
conflict in both developed and developing economies. On the hand, Saundry and Latreille
state that there has been a change like the conflict in the organisations and there has been a
reduction in the industrial action of the concentrated form, mostly, in the developed countries.
The emphasis has been shifted to individual conflict manifestation where employment
litigation and employee grievances are two factors out of many such factors for personal
conflict. A significant amount of importance has been provided to individual conflict of
employees as the organisation is burdened by the direct cost that is associated with
management of conflict within the organisation (1).Therefore, developing ways of managing
conflict within the organisation has been an issue for the policy makers, trade unions and
employers.
Conflict and its Causes
According to the Baillien et al. (23(4):511-24), conflicts can be defined as the clash of
interest between individuals or groups, and there is a distinction between conflicts and
disputes. Conflicts are the dissatisfaction arising due to the difference in interest between the
individuals whereas disputes are the manifestation of these conflicts within the organisation.
There is a wide range of reasons which may give rise to conflict within an organisation. The
tradition view on conflict management suggests that conflict arises due to lack of
communication and trust among a group or between to individual (3). On the contrary, the
contemporary view states that conflict is a part of the organisation and it can be used for the
benefit of the group and the organisation. Disputes occur almost on a daily basis within the,