Conflicts as Springboard for Metallica's Success

Erno Salmela

A chapter in Organizational Conflict from IntechOpen

Abstract: The purpose of this chapter is to understand how Metallica has utilized conflicts in creating changes in the music industry and growing as the biggest heavy metal band of the world and sustained in this position for 25 years. The study was conducted as a qualitative and longitudinal case study. The study confirmed that conflicts have been a crucial factor in Metallica's success. The interpersonal conflicts and the conflicts between the band founders have been pivotal. The duo has competed and collaborated against and with each other, and this way urging Metallica to better achievements. The same type of action has extended to collaboration with other inner circle members of Metallica. Different kinds of conflict stimulation techniques have been used to increase conflicts. Many dysfunctional outcomes have also arisen but Metallica as a band has nearly always been above them. The ways of handling conflicts have changed during the band's lifecycle. In the introduction phase, competing was emphasized; in the growth phase, collaboration increased and in the current mature phase, compromising and accommodating have strengthened. Nowadays, Metallica is still a relevant band with huge number of fans, but the best creative power has run dry.

Keywords: conflict; conflict management; conflict handling; conflict stimulating; competing; collaborating; avoiding; accommodating; compromising; product lifecycle; personality; innovation; success factor; Metallica; thrash metal; heavy metal; music industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ito:pchaps:123695

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.71579

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