Definition and Causes of Conflict

Subject: Leadership and Management (Theory)

Overview

Conflict is defined as conflict or disagreement between individuals, groups, or ideas. Each group has its own point of view and will remain together to combat other factions within the team. Individuals with diverse origins, experiences, education, and training form various perspectives of similar facts. This lack of understanding might lead to inappropriate inter-unit expectations.

Conflict is defined as any sort of friction, disagreement, or discord that arises within a group when one or more members' opinions or behaviors are either resisted or unacceptable to one or more members of another group. It can be characterized as a conflict or struggle between people who have competing needs, ideas, beliefs, values, or goals.

“Conflict is opposition or dispute between persons, groups or ideas”. - Joe Kelly

“Conflict is any situation in which two or more parties feel themselves in opposition.” - Fred Luthans

Causes

  1. Goal difference: Conflict can emerge between factions, organizations, or subgroups with opposing viewpoints. Each group has its own point of view and will band together to oppose other factions within the team. Such factions can severely fracture organizations. Conflict can also arise between team members and the team leader.
  2. Personality difference: Some people find it difficult to get along with one another. This is a psychological issue that has nothing to do with their professional responsibilities or formal contacts.
  3. Perceptual difference: Individuals with diverse origins, experiences, education, and training generate varied perspectives of comparable reality, increasing the possibility of interpersonal conflict.
  4. Power and status differences: Interpersonal disputes emerge as a result of unequal power and status distribution.
  5. Scarce resources: It almost always happens when there is a scarcity. Organizational conflicts over scarce resources are extremely common. It could be money, goods, people, or information.
  6. Communication distortions inadequate or unclear communications: Stimulate conflicts because critical information is being withheld and the parties are unfamiliar with each other's jobs. This ignorance can lead to inappropriate inter-unit demands.
  7. Other common causes are as follows:
  • Different cultures, values, or perception
  • Emotion
  • Harassment
  • Lack of teamwork
  • Difference in leadership
  • Different in style
  • External changes
  • Poor or inadequate organizational structure etc.

References
Things to remember
  • Conflict is defined as any situation in which two or more parties perceive themselves to be at odds.
  • Conflict can emerge between factions, organizations, or subgroups with opposing viewpoints.
  • Stimulate conflicts because critical information is being withheld and the parties are unfamiliar with each other's jobs.
Questions and Answers

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