What are the various sources of conflict within organizations? Provide a specific business example for each source of conflict.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The various sources of conflict are different goals and time horizons, overlapping authority, task interdependencies, different evaluation or reward systems, scarce resources, and status inconsistencies. Students' examples will vary and should be more specific, but here are examples from the text:

Goals and time horizons: Production managers, for example, usually concentrate on efficiency and cost cutting; they have a relatively short time horizon and focus on producing quality goods or services in a timely and efficient manner. In contrast, marketing managers focus on sales and responsiveness to customers. Overlapping authority: When two or more managers, departments, or functions claim authority for the same activities or tasks. Task interdependencies: A student group working on a project together, but one student consistently fails to follow through on his or her duties. Difference evaluation or reward systems: Production managers, for example, are evaluated and rewarded for their success in staying within budget or lowering costs while maintaining quality. Marketing managers, in contrast, are evaluated and rewarded for their success in generating sales and satisfying customers. Scarce resources: Divisional managers may be in conflict over who has access to financial capital, and organizational members at all levels may be in conflict over who gets raises and promotions. Status inconsistencies: High-status chefs taking orders from low-status waitstaff.