Answer to Question #239161 in Management for Esko

Question

1.Identify and describe the common causes of conflict in schools.[15 Marks]
2. Explain the importance of interpersonal relationships amongst staff members [15Marks]
3.Assess the positive and negative effects of conflict in schools.[15 marks]
6.References and reference lists for the above questions [5 Marks]

Answer 1

According to Isa (2015), organizations face various types of conflicts which are caused by various factors and that they have negative and positive consequences in the organizations. It is vital to note that conflicts in organizational set ups are inevitable.

1.

Difference in perceptions

This is amongst the main causes of conflicts in an institutional set up. Overriding perceptions causes sharp differences between and among the staff members which breeds serious levels of conflicts.

Limited resources

Resources which are limited in an institutions causes a serious scramble for the limited resources which consequently leads to emergence of conflicts among the staff members. Every individual wants to get a share of the resources regardless whether their colleagues gets them or not. This becomes a recipe for chaos and conflicts.

Overlapping authority amongst the staff members

Authority commands power. When power among the staff members conflicts in terms of who has more power than the other is a recipe that causes animosity and strive among the staff members which subsequently becomes a point of conflict.

2.

Interrelationships among the staff members is critical in the success of the organization and at the same time organizational performance.

Interrelationships among the staff members creates trust and positive feeling towards one another. This enables the staff members to work towards a common goal without any hiccup that may distract them from working towards the organizational goals.

Strong interrelationships creates better understanding among the staff members who get to know each other preferences and how they can co-exist.

Interrelationships enhances effective communication between and among the staff members which indeed contributes to robust cooperation among them.

Interrelationships amongst the staff members contributes to outstanding performance and better results from the staff members.

3.

Negative effects

Conflicts lead to wastage of resources and time.

Conflicts does not bring any good to the schools but rather leads to total wastage of time and the limited resources that could be put into meaningful use. Misuse of resources is quite rampant when the staff and other key stakeholders are always in conflict.

Conflicts reduces the staff members productivity.

When conflicts ensue in the schools the staff members spend more time talking about how they can resolve those conflicts. This greatly reduces the productivity of those members thereby contributing to overall reduced organizational productivity.

Schools may suffer from high turnover of the staff members

Some staff members may need to avoid conflicts that may result into chaotic situation by resigning from the school. This consequently leads to overall increase in staff turnover which is not healthy to an institution of learning.

Positive effects

Creation of change

Conflicts in the school may accelerate the rate at which change may occur in the organization. It is worth to note that these changes brought about by conflicts may significantly contribute to positive changes to the structure and management of the institution.

Goal congruence

As much as conflict may result to negative effects in the organization, conflict at a times may influence the refocusing of organizational goals which is a plus to the schools' organizational objectives. Conflicts enables the schools to modify their policies which can be of benefit to its operations and achievement of its goals.

Conflict may lead to innovation

When people conflict most of the time the management of the school may innovate ways that can help it reduce the negative consequences of the conflicts. This may lead to innovation of superb strategies that may be embraced in the future to reduce the negative of conflicts or reduce the rates at which conflicts occur among the staff members.

References

Isa, A. A. (2015). Conflicts in organizations: causes and consequences. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Research (JEPER), 2(11), 54-59.