Exploring Conflict Management Strategies in Organizations: An In-Depth Case Study Approach

Abstract

This paper discusses workplace conflict, conflict management, and organizational performance. Although previous studies have investigated conflict management, there is a need to explore the implementation of conflict management strategies in real-world settings, and to understand the patterns of conflict management strategies in different organizations. The research aims to answer four research questions, including what conflict managerial method are used in organizations, how effective they are in resolving conflicts to reach organization’s objectives, what patterns can be identified in the strategies used by different organizations, and whether the conflict management strategies used are in line with existing theories of conflict management. To achieve these aims, the researcher has used in-depth case study research methods, including content analysis with 5W1H data description, pattern analysis with the Thomas-Kilmann conflict handling methods and POLC managerial methods, and a pattern-matching technique. The text summarizes the research workflow, which includes collecting cases, content analysis, pattern analysis, and summarizing case studies to determine whether the findings conform with the theory of conflict management or require other explanations. The text also provides examples of the results of the case studies analyzed, including conflict arising from poor succession planning in Apple, conflict between Tesla and its employees, and internal organizational conflict in Manchester United in their decisions to recruit new manager after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.