Chapter 14: Conflicts in organizations

Question 1

What are the traditional and the interactionist view of conflict?

Answer 1

Traditional View
All conflict is harmful and must be avoided

Interactionist View
Conflict is encouraged to prevent group from becoming stale
- Functional and disfunctional

Question 2

What are the three types of conflict and the three loci of conflict?

And find desired conflict levels

Answer 2

Task conflict: Work content and goals
Relationship conflict: Interpersonal relationships
Process conflict: How the work is done

Level of conflict: low, medion, high
Source of conflict: Task, relatinship, process

Task conflict is best

Question 3

Can you outline the conflict process?

Answer 3

Stage I: Potential Opposition (communication, structure and personal variables)
Stage II: Cognition and Personalization (Perceived and felt conflict)
Stage III: Intentions (Dimenions: assertiveness and cooperativeness)
Stage IV: Behavior
Stage V: Outcomes (functional vs. disfunctional

Question 4

What are the contrast between distributive and integrative bargaining?

Answer 4

Distributive Bargaining: Get the biggest slice possible (win-lose)

Integrative bargaining:
A win-win solution is possible

Question 5

What are the five steps of the negotiation process?

Answer 5

Preperation and planning 
Definition of ground rules 
Clarification and justification
Bargaining and problem solving
Closure and implementation

Question 6

How does individual differences influence negotiations?

Answer 6

Personality Traits
Moods & Emotions
Culture
Gender

Question 7

Three sources of conflict?

Answer 7

Dyadic conflict: 
	Conflict between two people
Intragroup conflict:  
Conflict occurring within a group or team
Intergroup conflict: 
Conflict between groups or teams

Question 8

Keep in mind..

Answer 8

Conflict is an inherent part of organizational life: probably necessary for optimal organizational function
Task conflict is the most constructive
Most effective negotiators use both types of bargaining and know the appropriate tactics