Page 145 - E2 Integrated Workbook STUDENT 2018

Building, leading and managing teams

Inter-group and intra-group conflict

6.1 What is inter-group and intra-group conflict?

Inter-group conflict within organisations can be defined as the behaviour
that occurs between organisational groups when participants identify
with one group and perceive that other groups may block their groups’
goal achievement.

Inter-group conflict requires three ingredients.

 Group identification. Employees have to perceive themselves as part of an
identifiable group or department.

 There has to be an observable group difference of some form. The ability to
identify oneself as a part of one group and to observe differences in comparison
with other groups is necessary for conflict.

 Frustration. Frustration means that if one group achieves its goal the other will
not. Frustration need not be severe and only needs to be anticipated to set off
intergroup conflict.

Intra-group conflict occurs when there are disagreements or misunderstandings
between members of a team. Conflict between team members can lead to a
reduction in team productivity.

6.2 Managing inter-group conflict

 confrontation.  third party consultants.

 member rotation.  super-ordinate goals.

 intergroup training

Confrontation, third-party consultants and some training methods could also be used
to manage intra-group conflict.

Illustrations and further practice

Try case study style question 2 from Chapter 10 of the Study Text.

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