Conflict and Negotiation

A Definition of 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.

It describes that point in any ongoing activity when an interaction “crosses over” to become an interparty conflict.

It encompasses a wide range of conflicts that people experience in organizations:

• Incompatibility of goals
• Differences over interpretations of facts
• Disagreements based on behavioral expectations

Human Relations View of Conflict

The belief that conflict is a natural and inevitable outcome in any group

Interactionist View of Conflict

The belief that conflict is not only a positive force in a group but that it is absolute necessity for a group to perform effectively.

Functional Conflict: Conflict that supports the goals of the group and improves its performance.

Dysfunctional Conflict: Conflict that hinders group performance.

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