Conflict Management in Nigerian Corporate Organization: The Strategic Approaches

Abstract

The uncertainty that accompanies organizational change heightens prospects for intra organizational conflict. Research into behavior in organizations can be divided into two categories: normative and descriptive. Normative research is concerned with how things should be, whereas descriptive research addresses itself to what is rather than what could or should be. Normative approaches reflect attitudes and beliefs which identify all conflicts as destructive and promote conflict elimination as the formula for organizational success. Descriptive approaches accept conflict as inevitable and consider its proper management the primary responsibility of all managers. Conflict has the potential for either a great deal of destruction or much creativity, and positive social change (Kriesberg, 1998). However, the manner in which conflict it handled or approached determines whether it is constructive or destructive (Deutsch & Coleman, 2000). This dual perspective is most apparent in approaches to the issues of conflict management strategies (handling & solutions) in organization particularly in Nigeria. This paper it is essential to understand the basic processes of conflict management & strategic approaches to it, so that we can work to maximize productive outcomes and minimize destructive ones. Author suggests that the planned intervention by behavioral scientists and the need for interdisciplinary innovative solutions represents the most effective method of conflict management since it can produce organizational change and a sense of personal accomplishment.