understANDING Organizational Conflict 

Organizational Conflict involves internal misunderstandings, disagreements, or incompatibility between parties within an organization (Herrity, 2023) that create “the opposite of cooperation” (Mikkelsen & Humle, 2020). Organizational Conflict  often arises from differences in agenda, interests, and/or experiences between parties in an organization (Mikkelsen & Humle, 2020) where one or both see the other as incompatible or actively opposing goals and interests (Clardy, 2018; Henry, 2008).

Organizational conflict is an interactive process (Rahim, 2003). For conflict to occur, it must be recognized by one or both parties that a threshold for cooperation has been met or exceeded (Rahim, 2003). 

Conflict within an organization is inevitable and should be considered an expected element of organizational behaviour (Clardy, 2018; Gawerc, 2013; Mikkelsen & Humle, 2020). However, if not addressed in an appropriate timeframe, can have serious repercussions (Bhasin, 2023)

The ability of an organization to function continuously rests on their ability to manage conflict (Clardy, 2018; Gawerc, 2013; Mikkelsen & Humle, 2020). 

Intrapersonal - Occurring within a person. 

An individual may have uncertainty leading to a difficult time making decisions (Stewart-Pyne, 2016). It can also result from role confusion, including role conflict and/or role ambiguity. Role conflict occurs when someone may have two similar, but at times contradictory, job descriptions such as leading one team and being a member of another (Bauer & Erdogan, 2012). Role ambiguity can result when there is lack of clarity on job description or expectations (Bauer & Erdogan, 2012).

Intergroup - Occurring between different groups or departments.

Common causes of intergroup conflict in organizations include budget or resource allocation, work rules and assignments (Bauer & Erdogan, 2012).

Interdependence - Occurring between individuals or groups, where one can only accomplish a task once the other has completed their task first (Bauer & Erdogan, 2012).

Vertical -  Occurring between hierarchical groups, where there is a difference in power or status, such as manager and employee. 

Workers may feel powerless, as though their needs are not being met, that they have different values or ideologies or they may be in disagreement with salary and/or working conditions over which they have little influence (Firman et al., 2022).

Horizontal - Occurring between individuals or groups within the same level of hierarchy (Firman et al., 2022).

Interpersonal Conflict - Occurring between individuals.

This type of conflict can result from differences in personality traits or values (Bauer & Erdogan, 2012), lack of emotional intelligence, poor communication, lack of support, or poor management (Stewart-Pyne, 2016). 

When occurring between individuals on the same team, this type of conflict is known as intra-group (Jehn, 1997)