Effect of Conflict on Organizational Growth and Productivity

Effect of Conflict on Organizational Growth and Productivity

Abstract of Effect of Conflict on Organizational Growth and Productivity

This study examines the Effect of Conflict on Organizational Growth and Productivity using a case study of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. The interaction and competition between individuals and groups has made conflict inevitable. Conflict is bound to happen in any organization particularly amongst the workers because of the divergence in interest and goals for the employees and management respectively. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher employed simple percentages and chi-square statistical techniques to analyze, the data extracted from the respondents. Based on the analysis, we found that management inability to met up with collective bargaining and negotiation agreed on between workers and their representative might have a great effect in influencing conflict. We therefore, recommended that management should endeavour to constantly be looking into the improvement on wages and salaries of workers and resolve conflict by the use of internal statutory methods which would help the organization to achieve its expected goals.

Chapter One of Effect of Conflict on Organizational Growth and Productivity

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

All establishment either public or non governmental organizational experience some kinds of conflicts. This is normal natural and sometimes even necessary for continued growth and development in organizations. For some people, the best thing is to avoid conflict, while this may be appropriate at times, it is not always recommended. The main issue with conflict is not so much that it occurs, but how you can manage it and at the same time know the effects it has on the growth and productivity of the organization.

The Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary (2000), defines conflicts as a serious disagreement, a serious different of opinions, wishes etc. This definition therefore assumes that the entire organizations with various opinions are making efforts to achieve a common goals, which makes organizational conflicts inevitable. Conflict is part of organizational life due to the fact that individuals that make up the organization have different perceptions, interests, goals and values. These  differences might be due to the backgrounds they came from e.g social economic and even religions angles.

Apart from the different opinions and values of workers, which make up the rank and file of the organizations, the various goals and objective between the management and workers could result to conflicts. For example, while the workers are interested in personal satisfaction through increased wages and salaries, fringe benefits and other motivating techniques, the management on the other hand maybe concerned with the optional use of human resources for the maximization of profit and the survival of the organization (Kalia, 2007). These differences in goals and objective can result in organizational conflict between management and employee and this is what the research is out to investigate.

Statement of the Problem

Every business organization wants to be successful in carrying out its objectives and goals. However, there are often problems resulting from changes in organizational climate as a result of external or internal contributing factors, limited resources like shortage of finance, lack of good equipment, poor planning, communication breakdown and conflicting goals and objectives. These problems could cause conflict in organization that can lead to lack of growth and low productivity. It is often noted that employee are mostly affected by this conflicts with fear of being treated unkindly by management and this often result to low productivity. It is as a result of this separate interest and desire among management and employee that this study focuses the effect on conflicts on organizational growth and productivity, using Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi  as a survey becomes necessary.

Research Questions

The following research question will be provided answer to:

(1)             Can workers dissatisfaction with leadership style of their boss lead to conflict?

(2)             Can conflict be resolved through compromise between employee and management?

(3)             Does conflict affect the attainment of organizational goals?

Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of conflict on organizational growth and productivity using Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi as a case study.

The specific objectives of the study are:

(1)             To examine if workers dissatisfaction with leadership style of their boss lead to conflict.

(2)             To determine if conflict can be solved through compromise between employee and management.

(3)             To investigate if conflict affect the attainment of organizational goals.

Statement of Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses shall be tested:

(1)             Workers dissatisfaction with leadership style of their boss cannot lead to conflict.

(2)             Conflict cannot be resolve through compromise between employee and management.

(3)             Conflict does not affect the attainment of organizational goals.