Managing Conflict

Depending on the expected outcome managers can manage conflict in either of these ways:

(a)    Encouraging Conflict

Where conflict is likely to lead to increased performance and motivation then management can encourage conflict through competition, through contests or by publicizing results and performance.

(b)    Preventing Conflict

Some cases require that conflict be prevented in the first instance e.g. cases where departments are arguing over use of resources.
Rules and procedures can be used to govern how issues are to be resolved.