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BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
Organizational behavior and Ethos
Assignment on:-
Changing views of Conflict
Submitted to :- Submitted by :-
Nitin Agrawal
Roll no. - 20
MIBA 2nd sem.
y play three important roles in an economy:
1. Regulatory role
2. Promotional role

3. CONTENT
 Meaning of Conflict
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 Nature of Conflict
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 Sources of Conflict
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 Changing views of
Conflict……………………………….
 Functional & Dysfunctional Conflict
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 References………………………………………………..
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4. Meaning of Conflict
“Working together is not always easy”, it is because of conflict.
Conflict is a part of everyday life of an individual and of an organization. It has
a considerable impact on employee’s performance, satisfaction and behavior.
It is not possible to compress the essential ingredients of conflict
in a precise definition because it may take several forms.
In simple words it can be explained as a collusion and disagreement. The
conflict may be within an individual, between two or more individuals or
between two or more groups within an organization.
There has been no shortage of definitions of conflict.
According to J.W.Thomas,
“Conflict is a process that begins when one party
perceives that another party has negatively affected, or about to negatively
affect, something that the first party cares about.”
This definition describes that point in
an ongoing activity when an interaction crosses over to become an inter party
conflict.
“Conflict is a process in which an effort is purposefully made by one
person or unit to block another that results in frustrating the attainment of the
other’s goals or the furthering of his or her interest.”
For example,
if A deliberately tries to offset the efforts of B by some form of
blocking that will result in frustrating B in attaining his goal, it is conflict.

5. Nature of Conflict
In a discussion on the nature of conflict, it is necessary to discuss the
following points:
• Conflict is different from competition:
Competition takes place when individuals or groups have incompatible
goals but do not interfere with each other as they try to attain their
respective goal. On the other hand, conflict takes place when individuals
or groups have incompatible goals and they try to interfere with each
other as they try to attain their respective goals. For ex.: In sports, track
events are the example of competition because every runner tries to run
faster but they are not allowed to interfere with the other, while cricket,
hockey are the example of both conflict and competition.
• Conflict occurs when two or more parties pursue two or more
mutually exclusive goals:
It is based on the assumption that there are two or more parties, having
goals which are mutually exclusive and incompatible.
• Conflict arises out of two perceptions:
If X perceives his goal to be incompatible with those of Y and x has no
opportunity to frustrate the goal attainment of Y, there is no conflict.
• Conflict refers to deliberate behavior:
If X deliberately tries to prevent y from attaining his goal, conflict arises
but if interference is accidental, there is no conflict.

6. Sources of Conflict
There are three levels of conflict in the life of an organization, and for every level
there are different sources:
1. Intra –Personal Conflict:
Intra personal conflict refers to the conflict within
an individual. It arises from frustration, numerous goal which requires equal
attention but is not possible to devote and goals having both positive and
negative aspects.
2. Inter- personal Conflict:
Inter personal conflict refers to the conflict between
two or more individuals with a group. It arises due ti differences in
personalities, perceptions, temperaments, values, socio- cultural factors and
role ambiguities.
3. Inter- Group Conflict:
It is also called organizational conflict. It refers to the
conflict between two or more sections, groups or departments in an
organization. Conflict between groups is frequent and highly visible. The
reasons for inter group conflict are many, such as:
a. Task Interdependence: It refers to the extent to which two
departments depend on each other for information, compliance and
assistance.
b. Task Ambiguity: Another important source or inter group conflict
arises when it is not clear, which group is responsible for
performing which task.
c. Goal incompatibility: if goals of two departments of an
organization clash with each other, conflict arises.
d. Competition for limited resources: Resources’ of an organization
are limited, and every department tries to secure maximum share in
that. It results in conflict.

7. e. Competitive reward system: if there is a system in the
organization that reward will be given on the basis of competitive
performance, it will result in conflict.

8. Changing Views of Conflict
Conflict exists in the organization from the very beginning, but attitude toward
conflict has been changed. This change can be explained as:

9. Types of Conflict
There are mainly two type of conflict:
• Functional Conflict
• Dysfunctional Conflict
Functional Conflict:
Functional Conflict refers to confrontation between two
ideas, goals and parties that improve employees and organization
performance.
Benefit of conflict is following:
1. Conflict increases awareness of :-
 What
 Who
 how
2. Conflict motivates organizational members to consider problems.
3. Conflict promotes changes.
4. Conflict enhances moral and cohesion.
5. High quality decision result when persons express their opposing views
and perspectives.
6. Conflict stimulates interest and creativity.
7. Conflict adds to the fun of working with others when not taken seriously.

10. Dysfunctional Conflict:
Conflict is inevitable in organizations and also
desirable. But without an effective means for handling it, conflict can tear
relationships apart and interfere with the exchange of ideas, information's
and resources in groups and between department. Dysfunctional conflict
hinders and prevents organizational goals from being achieved.

11. References :-