Managing Conflicts and Negotiations
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to: 1. Discuss the concept of conflict and outline the attitude towards it. 2. Determine the process of conflict through different stages and highlight the outcomes of conflict. 3. List the types of conflict and identify the sources of conflict. 4. Discuss the strategies for managing conflict optimally in organizations. 5. Identify the role of negotiations in resolving conflict and compare the two strategies of negotiations and their effectiveness. 6. Enumerate the strategies for stimulating conflict The Popular professor Agrasen University enjoy a good reputation for a Regional University. Several members of its core faculty have published articles in reputed journals and some are active in pursuing government-and industry sponsored research. Teaching effectiveness is the most important among several criteria for the promotion of faculty members at the university In recent years, the sociology department (see Exhibit 11.1) has become increasingly extreme in outlook and rather militant and active in pressing economic, environmental, and political view points. This has resulted in some criticism of the department by outside groups, local business people, and so on. Many of the older members of the faculty (represent about half the total), who are more moderate in out…………….that the younger faculty members have extreme view points and that students are given too much………………. programme administration. A student representative group has also become very active, submitting surveys of student opinion, pushing for a grade review board and pressing for voting representation on all departmental committees. At the outset, the chairman of the sociology department, Professor Abhinav Rana, had been willing to cooperate, because he felt that increased student participation would be beneficial for students as well as the university. However lately, faculty members have become increasingly critical of students requests.
One of the younger professors, Assistant Professor Karan Joshi, shares a close relationship with several members of the student union and had actively lobbied for more meeting student demands. The situation worsened as he and Abhinav Rana sharply disagreed on many issues. They were constantly waging verbal battles-at first in faculty meetings and later at student-faculty conferences. The disagreements between the two become sharper and more polarized. S.S. Kothari, the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, became concerned over the charges that the faculty members of the sociology department were growing too militant and that standards were being overlooked.
…… merged when it was announced that the administration, upon recommendation of the department had notified Joshi that his appointment was not being renewed for the following year. The reasons given were lack of research, no publication, little scholarly activity and unprofessional performance. Joshi interviewed y the university newsletter, suggested that his political leanings and conflicts with the chairman of the department had led to his dismissal. He produced student evaluation ratings, which indicated outstanding teaching effectiveness and pointed out the general low level of publishing in the department as a whole.
A week after the notification of non-reappointment, student representatives presented a set of demands to Kothari, including: * The reappointment of Joshi * The elimination of required courses * Student representative in all committees * A degree granted for and 125-hour credit programme
There were a number of other demands related to a less-structured academic programme with increased student participation in all administrative matters. A boycott of classes was threatened unless these demands were met.
For discussion 1. Taking Abhinav’s interaction with Joshi as an example, state what factors lead to interpersonal conflict in organizations? 2. Does this incident give any indication of intergroup conflict? How? 3. What would you do if you were the dean of the institute? 4. What would you do if you were in Joshi’s place?
Introduction
Every relationship has its share of conflicts, disagreements, and divergent interests. Conflicts have the potential to destroy a relationship, put companies out of the business, and ruin careers. Negative consequences usually arise from the failure to handle conflict in constructive ways. Constructive conflict management produces creative solutions to problems, high quality relationships, and constructive change. Unless relationships can withstand the strain.
Organizational chart *