MGT 2030 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Problem Solving, Negotiation, Best Alternative To A Negotiated Agreement
Conflict and Negotiation----OB
Conflict: 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.
Interpersonal conflict is a process that occurs when one person, group, or organizational
subunit frustrates the goal attainment of another.
Functional Conflict: Supports the goals of the group and improves its performance/ Leads to
creative resolution
Dysfunctional Conflict: Hinders group performance. Damages collaboration and prevents the
group from utilizing the talents of its members
TYPES OF CONFLICT
Task Conflict
Task conflict concerns disagreements about the nature of work to be done (e.g.,
differences of opinion about goals or technical matters).
Task conflict appears beneficial to top management teams but harmful at lower levels
Moderate levels of task conflict appear to have benefits
Relationship Conflict
Relationship conflict concerns interpersonal tensions among individuals that have to do
with their relationship per se, not the task at hand (e.g., personality conflict).
Almost always dysfunctional
Process Conflict
Process conflict involves disagreements about how work should be organized and
accomplished (e.g., disagreements about responsibility, authority, resource allocation,
and who does what).
CAUSES OF CONFLICT
Communication
Through misunderstandings and noise in the communication channels
Structure
Size, specialization, and composition of the group (younger employees)
Ambiguity of responsibility with respect to tasks
Reward systems (distributive and procedural injustice)
Leadership and supervisory styles inappropriate for employees
Diversity of goals and objectives
If one group is dependent on another (and holds less power)
When individuals or groups are mutually dependent on each other to accomplish
their own goals.
Scarce resources: Limited budget money and administrative support.
Personal Variables
Personality
People high in disagreeableness or neuroticism are more likely to engage
in conflicts and to react poorly when conflict occurs
Emotions Conflict resulting from carryover from other sources
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Document Summary
Conflict: 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. Interpersonal conflict is a process that occurs when one person, group, or organizational subunit frustrates the goal attainment of another. Functional conflict: supports the goals of the group and improves its performance/ leads to creative resolution. Damages collaboration and prevents the group from utilizing the talents of its members. Task conflict concerns disagreements about the nature of work to be done (e. g. , differences of opinion about goals or technical matters). Task conflict appears beneficial to top management teams but harmful at lower levels. Moderate levels of task conflict appear to have benefits. Relationship conflict concerns interpersonal tensions among individuals that have to do with their relationship per se, not the task at hand (e. g. , personality conflict).
