Organizational Conflict in a Formal Organization

Organizational Conflict in a Formal Organization

The above subject matter cannot be discussed without first elucidating

on the key subjects viz: ‘conflict’ and ‘formal organization’.

The oxford dictionary of current English describes conflict as a lack

of agreement between opinions another school of thought sees conflict

as ‘a state of dysfunctionality in a system’. What ever the case,

conflict occurs in our everyday life either within a person when faced

with problem and possible options and/ or with another individual

either in a formal or informal setting.

On the other hand, a formal organization is typically understood to be

system/ group of people of coordinated and controlled activities that

arise when work is embedded in complex networks of technical relations

and boundary-spanning exchanges.

In effect, organizational conflict can be described as the interaction

of interdependent people who perceive incompatible goals and

interference from each other in achieving those goals. This occurs in

all formal settings. Disagreement between two or more parties who

perceive that they have incompatible concern.

Unlike the traditional view which sees conflict as being bad and as

such should be avoided, the contemporary view to which I belong, sees

conflict as neither inherently bad nor good but is inevitable in any

formal setting and structurally induced.

As earlier stated, no one person can constitute an organization and as

such there come a time when people will hold divergent views of a

particular issue.

As stated above that conflict is neither naturally bad nor good, it

often times enhances organizational performanc...

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...ow a business is run.

Apparently organizational politics is an increasing problem according

to a study by Accountemps. "Eighteen percent of an administrator's

time -- more than nine weeks out of every year -- is spent resolving

conflicts among employees" ("Surviving Office Politics." Talent Scout.

April 16, 1998).

Besides causing problems for the individuals who work together, the

end result can be far more devastating. Employees and managers who

must concentrate on the political aspects of work may have less time

to pay attention their jobs. This translates into financial loss,

which may in turn translate into job loss.

Politics will always be a part of organizations so long as people are

involved. Organizations that are overrun with politics, however, will

sooner or later take their place among the also-rans.