Page 157 - E2 Integrated Workbook STUDENT 2018

Managing organisational relationships

4.2 Types of conflict

Horizontal conflict: Horizontal conflict
HORIZONTAL occurs between groups and departments
at the same level in the hierarchy.

VERTICAL Vertical conflict: This occurs among individuals and groups at

different levels in the hierarchy. It is often about power and
powerlessness, differences in status and power and in practice
frequently involves trade unions.

4.3 Managing conflict – Mainwaring

 Conflict stimulation and orchestration. This approach actively encourages
conflict as a means of generating new ideas and new approaches or to
stimulate change. There are obvious dangers in deliberately generating conflict,
not least that the conflict could escalate in a destructive way.

 Conflict suppression. This involves the use or threatened use of authority or
force, or the avoidance of recognition that a conflict situation exists, or
smoothing over the conflict by de-emphasising the seriousness of the situation.
Such strategies are essentially short-term.

 Conflict reduction. This involves building on areas of agreement and on
common objectives, and changing attitudes and perceptions of the parties
involved.

 Conflict resolution. This seeks to eliminate the root causes of conflict. Attitude
change is a key element, particularly regarding the possibility of 'win-win'
situations where the parties involved are aware of the mutual gains to be
derived from co-operation and collaboration.

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