Deck 11: Organizational Conflict Management

Question 1

Conflict arising between persons from different departments in an organization is called _______________.

A) intergroup conflict
B) interorganizational conflict
C) interpersonal conflict
D) intrapersonal conflict

Answer 1

C

Question 2

What theoretical perspective assumes that conflict occurs because for one party to win, the other must lose?

A) causal attribution theory
B) competition theory
C) conflict spiral theory
D) system theory

Answer 2

B

Question 3

What type of conflict is best considered to be an untapped opportunity?

A) constructive
B) destructive
C) inhibiting
D) rational

Answer 3

A

Question 4

According to Goleman (1995), what concept is crucial for maintaining resilience in highly charged workplace settings?

A) communication
B) emotional intelligence
C) high self-efficacy
D) openness to experience

Question 5

Conflict analysis would be least likely to find that __________________ was/were responsible for workplace dysfunction.

A) poor system design
B) a specific person or departmental unit
C) an under-represented stakeholder group
D) unmet needs

Question 6

Tate is involved in a conflict with his instructor. Tate feels that some questions on the exam were unfair because the material had not been covered by the instructor in class, even though they were discussed clearly in the textbook. What type of causal attribution is Tate making?

A) dispositional
B) external
C) internal
D) rational

Question 7

Guillermo was recently promoted to a management position because of his work ethic and his superior knowledge of his previous job responsibilities. Courtney was also promoted at the same time and was promoted because of her intelligence and ability to communicate effectively with others. What type of attribution should be made for Guillermo and Courtney, respectively?

A) external; external
B) external; internal
C) internal; external
D) internal; internal

Question 8

William and Theodore are continually upset at the restrictions imposed by management and what they feel are the excessive productivity and performance demands made at the same time. When they receive below average appraisal ratings they blame anyone but themselves. What form of causal attribution are they making?

A) dispositional
B) external
C) internal
D) logical

Question 9

Gene dislikes his company's recent decision to build a parking garage and require employees to pay $50 a year for a parking permit. He assumes that most, if not all, employees feel like he does. At a company-wide meeting, he gets up to speak and at the end he hands his resignation to his boss. He is surprised when no one else follows his lead. What cognitive bias impacted Gene's thinking?

A) confirmatory bias
B) congeniality bias
C) false-consensus bias
D) status-quo bias

Question 10

Whitley believes that her successful job performance is the result of her intelligence and diligence in completing her tasks. She feels that she listens better than her fellow co-workers and she works much harder and many more hours each week than they do. What bias is impacting Whitley's thinking?

A) confirmatory bias
B) false-consensus bias
C) hindsight bias
D) self-enhancement bias

Question 11

Two student organizations are constantly in conflict with each other. As a result, members of the groups perceive the two groups as very different, even though they are more similar than different, and they are often working to woo the same people to join their group and not the other. What theory explains why conflict is present?

A) causal attribution theory
B) competition theory
C) conflict spiral theory
D) system theory

Question 12

Rece and Stuart have a disagreement that they have been unable to resolve. As a result, each goes and tells their side of the story to co-workers who are typically sympathetic to them. When their manager finally becomes involved in resolving the dispute, she finds that now the number of persons involved is over 15. What theoretical perspective best explains this situation?

A) causal attribution theory
B) competition theory
C) conflict spiral theory
D) system theory

Question 13

Tina describes her organization as having a "can do" work environment. She notes that it is populated by cooperative and satisfied employees, who maintain good morale and produce quality work. Which of the following is she unlikely to mention as a reason for the "can do" approach?

A) deliberate practice of positive communication and conflict management techniques
B) search for a specific person or departmental unit to blame when things go wrong
C) strategically designed in-house communications and conflict management practices
D) supportive management

Question 14

Conflict management interventions, like mediation, are often necessary for bringing about a successful resolution to the dispute. In such instances, initial steps must be taken to before getting to the heart of the dispute. What is one task necessary to increase the likelihood of producing an agreement from the conflict management intervention?

A) discussing the value of emotional intelligence for creating lasting organizational harmony
B) highlighting the importance of making compromises from one's original position
C) motivating the sides to see their proposal as the likely solution
D) reducing perceived differences between parties

Question 15

Identify and explain the four levels of organizational conflict.

Question 16

Illustrate the main assumptions of competition theory as a method of conflict management.

Question 17

How could conflict management systems generally be used to strengthen relations?

Question 18

Explain how in-house conflict management may benefit an organization.

Question 19

Describe the conflict analysis process and the aims of that process.