The Causes of Conflict in Public and Private Sector Organizations in South Africa

Chris van Tonder, Werner Havenga and Jan Visagie
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Chris van Tonder: University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Werner Havenga: University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Jan Visagie: North-West University, South Africa

Managing Global Transitions, 2008, vol. 6, issue 4, 373-401

Abstract: The uncertainty that accompanies organizational change heightens prospects for intra organizational conflict. Notwithstanding this, the knowledge base on the sources (or causes) of organizational conflict is underdeveloped – largely as a result of a low incidence of empirical research, and in particular in South Africa. The current study explored the perceived sources of conflict in two South African organizations operating in different economic sectors. An experimental survey focusing on both the causes and the impact of conflict was administered to a sample of 203 employees, representing both companies. Comparative analysis revealed significant differences between the two organizations’ views with regard to the causes and consequences of conflict. The implications of these findings for future research and conflict management are discussed.

Keywords: organizational conflict; conflict management; human resource management; management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D74 L29 M12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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