Conflict Management

According to Kelly, a generally accepted definition
of conflict does not exist (Kelly, 2006). Conflict is
defined here as a clash or struggle that occurs when
a real or perceived threat or difference exists in the
desires, thoughts, attitudes, feelings, or behaviors
of two or more parties (Deutsch, 1973). It exists as
a tension or struggle arising from mutually exclusive
or opposing actions, thoughts, opinions, or
feelings. Conflict can be internal or external to an
individual or group. It can be positive as well as
negative.
Organizational conflict is defined as the struggle
for scarce organizational resources (Coser,
1956). Values, goals, roles, or structural elements
may be the specific locus of the struggle for scarce
organizational resources. For example, two parties
may be in opposition because of perceived differences
in goals, a struggle over scarce resources, or
interference in goal attainment. This opposition
prevents cooperation (Deutsch, 1973). Job conflict
is defined as a perceived opposition or antagonistic
process at the individual-organization interface
(Gardner, 1992).