This document discusses conflict management and interpersonal relationships in organizations. It covers topics such as intergroup behavior, categories of interdependence, causes of conflict in organizations, and forms of organizational conflict. There are three main categories of interdependence: pooled, sequential, and reciprocal. Causes of organizational conflict include managerial expectations, communication disruptions, misunderstandings, lack of accountability, unclear responsibilities, interpersonal relationships, scarcity of resources, and conflicts of interest. Forms of organizational conflict discussed are interorganizational, intergroup, intragroup, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.

1. Conflict Management and
Interpersonal Relationships
Topics to be Studied
• Intergroup Behaviour
• Categories of Interdependence
• Conflict in Organisations
• Causes of Conflict in
Organisations
• Forms of Organisational Conflict
• P
Farhan Ahmad
CSS 2019 Qualifier
MBA Finance Gold Medalist
Co-Author of District Wise
Economic Profile of KP

2. Intergroup Behaviour
• An organization consists of many
groups created formally or informally.
• Each group depends on others for raw
materials, resources, information or
assistance in performing a task.
• Higher the level of exchange of
resources among the groups higher
would be the degree of
interdependences.
• Such interdependence can be
classified into three categories.
Interdependence
Pooled
Interdependence
Sequential
Interdependence
Reciprocal
Interdependence

3. 1. Pooled Interdependence
Pooled interdependence occurs when various
groups are largely independent of one another,
even though each contributes to and is
supported by the larger organization. For
example, although the physics and music
departments may not interact frequently, both
contribute to the larger goals of the university,
and both use university resources. In a factory
setting, pooled interdependence can be seen in
a company with two distinct manufacturing
divisions; e.g., one for consumer products and
one for industrial products. Although produced
separately, both kinds of products come
together in the shipping department, and both
represent products of the same company.
Consumer
Products
Division
Industrial
Products
Division
Packing and
Shipping
Departments

4. 2. Sequential Interdependence
Sequential interdependence exists when
the outputs of one unit or group become
the inputs for another. For example, the
manufacturing department in a company
is clearly dependent on the purchasing
department for the success of its own
operation, whereas the purchasing
department is much less dependent on
manufacturing.
Procurement
Manufacturing
Sale

5. 3. Reciprocal Interdependence
Reciprocal interdependence occurs when two or more groups depend on one another for inputs. For
example, without product engineering, the marketing department would have nothing to sell. On the
other hand, without consumer information from marketing, product engineering might not know what
to manufacture. The two units are highly dependent on each other, thereby requiring a high degree of
interaction.
Marketing
Product
Engineering

6. Conflict in Organisations
Organizational Conflict or otherwise known as
workplace conflict, is described as the state of
disagreement or misunderstanding, resulting from
the actual or perceived dissent of needs, beliefs,
resources and relationship between the members of
the organization. At the workplace, whenever, two or
more persons interact, conflict occurs when opinions
with respect to any task or decision are in
contradiction.
In simple terms, organizational conflict alludes
to the result of human interaction, that starts
when one member of the organization discerns
that his/her goals, values or attitude are
incompatible, with those of other members of
the organization. The incompatibility in opinions
can come into being, within a member, between
two members, or between groups of the
organization.

7. Causes of Organizational Confict
Managerial Expectations: Every employee is
expected to meet the targets, imposed by his/her
superior and when these expectations are
misunderstood or not fulfilled within the
stipulated time, conflicts arises.
Communication Disruption: One of the major
causes of conflict at the workplace is disruption
in the communication, i.e. if one employee
requires certain information from another, who
does not respond properly, conflict sparks in the
organization.
Misunderstanding: Misunderstanding of
information, can also alleviate dispute in
organization, in the sense that if one person
misinterpret some information, it can lead to
series of conflicts.
Lack of accountability: If in a project,
responsibilities are not clear and some mistake
has arisen, of which no member of the team
wants to take responsibility can also become a
cause of conflict in the organization.

8. Causes of Organizational Conflict
Unclear Responsibility: If there is lack of clarity,
regarding who is responsible for which section
of a task or project, conflict takes place. And, to
avoid this situation, the roles and responsibility
of the team members should be stated clearly
and also agreed upon by all.
Interpersonal Relationship: Every member of an
organization, possesses different personality,
which plays a crucial role in resolving conflict in
an organization. Conflicts at the workplace, are
often caused by interpersonal issues between
the members of the organization.
Scarcity of Resources: One of the main reason for
occurence of conflict in an organization is the
inadequacy of resources like time, money,
materials etc. due to which members of the
organization compete with each other, leading to
conflict between them.
Conflict of Interest: When there is a disorientation
between the personal goals of the individual and
the goals of the organization, conflict of interest
arises, as the individual may fight for his personal
goals, which hinders the overall success of the
project.

9. Forms of Organizational Conflict
Interorganisational Conflict: Conflict that
occur between two or among more
organisations
Intergroup conflict refers to
disagreements that exist between
two or more groups and their
respective members.

10. Forms of Organizational Conflict
Intragroup conflict refers to a
specific kind of conflict that
occurs between members of
a group that shares common
goals, interests or other
identifying characteristics.
Interpersonal conflict is a
disagreement in some
manner which can be
emotional, physical,
personal, or professional
between two or more
people
Intrapersonal conflict is
defined as the internal crisis
that occurs in the mind of an
individual, generally caused
by frustrations, and which
leads to depression,
insecurity, abandonment of
goals and inability to
socialize correctly

11. How to Manage Conflict in Organisations.
To be Continued…