BUS209: Organizational Behavior

Definition

• Interaction of interdependent people who perceive incompatible goals, aims, and values and who see the other party as potentially interfering with the realization of these goals.
• 3 "I's" of Conflict: Interaction, Interdependence, Incompatible goals
  • The reason conflict exists
    
    

Levels of Organizational Conflict

• Intergroup Conflict: Aggregates of people within an organization (e.g. work teams, departments) as parties in the conflict
• Interorganizational Conflict: A dispute between two or more organizations
  
  

Phases of Conflict

1) Latent conflict: the conditions are ripe for conflict because of the three "I's" (i.e. different personalities)

2) Perceived conflict: one or more of the parties believes that incompatibilities and interdependence exist

3) Felt conflict: parties begin to formulate strategies about how to deal with the conflict (i.e. should I go to my boss; talk to the other party; avoid)

4) Manifest conflict: strategies and goals are enacted in communication (i.e. filed a grievance with HR; confronted the opposing party)

5) Conflict aftermath: short- and long-term consequences - what did the conflict do to the relationship?

Factors Influencing Conflict

Source: Saylor Academy, https://s3.amazonaws.com/saylordotorg-resources/wwwresources/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/BUS209-5.1.1-Types-and-Phases-of-Conflict-in-the-Workplace-FINAL.pptx
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