Human Relations in Organizations: Applications and Skill Building 8th Edition by Robert Lussier

Exercise 21

Bill and Saul's Conflict The following conversation takes place over the telephone between Bill, the salesperson, and Saul, the production manager.
BILL: Listen, Saul, I just got an order for 1,000 units and promised delivery in two days. You'll get them out on time, won't you?
SAUL: Bill, you know the normal delivery time is five days.
BILL: I know, but I had to say two days to get the order, so fill it.
SAUL: We don't have the capability to do it. You should have checked with me before taking the order. The best I can do is four days.
BILL: What are you-my mother, or the production manager?
SAUL: I cannot have 1,000 units ready in two days. We have other orders that need to be filled before yours. Four days is the best I can do on short notice.
BILL: Come on, Saul, you cannot do this to me, I want to keep this account. It can mean a lot of business.
SAUL: I know, Bill; you've told me this on three other orders you had.
BILL: But this is a big one. Don't you care about sales?
SAUL: Yes, I do, but I cannot produce the product as fast as you sales reps are selling it lately.
BILL: If I don't meet my sales quota, are you going to take the blame?
SAUL: Bill, we are going in circles here. I'm sorry, but I cannot fill your request. The order will be ready in four days.
BILL: I was hoping you would be reasonable. But you've forced me to go to Mr. Carlson.
You know he'll be telling you to fill my order. Why don't you just do it and save time and aggravation?
SAUL: I'll wait to hear from Mr. Carlson. In the meantime, have a good day, Bill.
Answer the following questions. Then in the space between the questions, state why you selected that answer.
Bill and Saul have an conflict.
A) individual
B) interpersonal
C) individual /group
D) intragroup