Understanding Conflict: Types, Causes, and Resolution

Conflict: It is a clash of positions arising among several people or groups of people because of some behavior damaging the achievement of the objectives of another.

Types of Disputes

People Involved

1) Group (Collective):

• It occurs among workers in a company, taken together, and the company as such.
• The goal of conflict is often a general discrepancy in working conditions.
• Its solution globally affects all involved.

2) Individual:

• Occurs between a boss and a subordinate.
• The goal is usually a claim of a personal/family nature.
• The solution only affects the worker and the employer.
• Can occur between two persons of the same hierarchical level.

Features of Interest

• Standards: It is produced by different interpretations of labor standards.
• Economic: The economic interests of the parties are opposed.

Pressure Measures Used

• Practice: Use extreme negotiation or mediation to seek a rapprochement of positions and therefore the solution.
• Violent: One party or both use provocation, coercion, or other violent measures to reach the solution.

Results Generated

• Positive: The result is reasonably satisfactory to both parties.
• Negative: The result is unsatisfactory to both, is a retreat from positions that usually aggravates the situation.

Development Stages of Conflict

• Identification and assimilation
• Analysis
• Search Solutions
• Choice of best solution

Causes or Consequences of Conflict

Causes:

• Different interpretation of information
• Confusion between facts and opinions
• Conflicting interests or values
• Lack of resources and different criteria in their application
• Rivalry, personal competence, professional.

Consequences:

• Resolution in accordance
• Resolution without agreement:

1. Distrust for the future
2. Urge for revenge
3. Removal of the parties

Negotiation

Negotiation is a process by which two parties with different positions and objectives try to reach an agreement satisfactory to both involved.

Elements of the Negotiations

• Purpose: To resolve the conflict
• Subjects: These are people or groups of people who have opposing positions. They can act as negotiators or delegate to a group.
• Influence: It is the authority that has or can have a party to exercise power over another.
• Ability to maneuver: It is determined by the bases on establishing the field of negotiation.
• Agreement