Deck 11: Managing Conflict

Question 1

Rodney always tries to place the interest of others above his own.Rodney typically engages in collaboration.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Research on conflict management only two possible strategies based on the intersection between relationship and goal importance,called collaboration and compromise.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Which of the following statements relates to the integrationist view of managing conflict?

A) It views conflict as a natural part of human existence and it should be accepted as a normal part of relationships.
B) Conflict is a result of dysfunctional managerial behavior and therefore should be stopped at the source.
C) The challenge is to find constructive means for managing conflict while still maintaining some differences that energize a group toward continued innovation.
D) Conflict is always bad and should be avoided at all costs.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true about conflicts?

A) Human conflict is not a normal occurrence.
B) Effective managers are not afraid of conflict.
C) Managers should pursue all employee conflicts.
D) Conflicts always end in hostility and frustration.

Question 5

As a manager,setting limits and communicating consequences adds to the existence of conflicts.

Question 6

The fact that different business units within one organization have different expectations and operating principles is itself a source of conflict.

Question 7

Research shows that focusing on others first,and managing others' expectations has been linked to the increased occurrence of conflicts.

Question 8

The human relations view of conflict holds that a degree of conflict can be a positive force for change within an organization.

Question 9

Providing employees with sufficient information can help to reduce potential conflicts.

Question 10

The employees at Carlton Motors have not received a pay hike in one year as the company was incurring losses.Several conflicts have arisen between the management and staff over the lack of competitive salaries.These conflicts are likely to be a result of:

A) personality clashes.
B) style differences.
C) miscommunication.
D) limited resources.

Question 11

According to the traditional view of conflict management:

A) conflict is a result of dysfunctional managerial behavior and therefore should and can be stopped at the source.
B) conflict is viewed as a natural part of human existence and is accepted as a normal part of group interaction.
C) conflict is not only inevitable,but maintaining a degree of tension can be helpful in keeping a group creative.
D) conflict is seen as a positive force for change within organizations,groups and relationships.

Question 12

The easiest conflicts to resolve are those that deal with conflicting views on values and beliefs.

Question 13

Managers should create a climate and culture at work that support constructive conflict-encouraging the clash of ideas and developing processes,training,and tools that help people work through their inevitable differences with each other.

Question 14

Effective managers are those who are selective as to which conflicts they choose to pursue.

Question 15

The competing strategy of conflict resolution may be effective when unpopular decisions need implementing.

Question 16

When the relationship is more important than the goal,the accommodating strategy of conflict resolution is the most effective.

Question 17

Conflict is a fact of life in organizations._____ sometimes reflects an "I don't care" attitude that can lead to stagnation on the job.

A) Increased cohesion
B) Overexposure to facts
C) Lack of creative tension
D) Values clarification

Question 18

In some cases conflict initially reduces cohesion that can in turn reduce the likelihood of "groupthink" occurring.

Question 19

Conflicts are inevitable;hence,they should be accepted as there is little managers can do to minimize the occurrence.

Question 20

When faced with severe time restrictions on finishing a team project,collaboration would be the most effective conflict strategy.

Question 21

When all parties seriously want a win-win solution and have enough time,_____ is the best strategy for conflict resolution.

A) collaboration
B) accommodation
C) compromise
D) competition

Question 22

Personal and professional conflicts often arise due to _____ that may be a result of errors in semantics.

A) organizational failure
B) miscommunication
C) varied work styles
D) a resource crunch

Question 23

Which of the following is a gain associated with the accommodation strategy?

A) Both sides win
B) Energy free for other pursuits
C) Chance to win everything
D) Higher creativity

Question 24

Anne is perceived as a manager who alienates and discourages others from working with her.This is likely to be a result of the _____ strategy adopted by her.

A) competition
B) avoidance
C) accommodation
D) compromise

Question 25

Using an accommodation strategy to resolve a conflict:

A) can make you work to achieve your goals at all costs,even if it means sacrificing the relationship.
B) can lead to a "lose-lose" scenario where goals may not be achieved and the relationship may not progress beyond its current state.
C) implies accepting that one cannot get his/her way at all times.
D) can be harmful in the long term as resentment builds up over unmet needs.

Question 26

The _____ strategy is the political equivalent of "win some,lose some" and is possible in a long-term relationship where there is time for give-and-take exchange.

A) accommodating
B) competing
C) compromising
D) collaborating

Question 27

The two main factors to consider when selecting one of the five conflict management strategies are goals and:

A) roles.
B) relationships.
C) responsibilities.
D) resources.

Question 28

The chance to win everything and exercising one's own sense of power is a gain associated with:

A) compromise.
B) avoidance.
C) accommodation.
D) competition.

Question 29

Competing may be appropriate:

A) when an action that is vital to an organization's welfare has to be taken.
B) when everyone wants a solution that satisfies all parties' objectives and maintains the relationship.
C) when the issue is very important to all parties involved.
D) when there is plenty of time for finding an integrative solution.

Question 30

Which of the following is a loss associated with compromise as a conflict handling strategy?

A) Less creative problem solving
B) Chance to lose everything
C) Little understanding of the needs of others
D) Possibility of recurring conflicts

Question 31

The _____ conflict resolution strategy is high on cooperativeness and low on assertiveness.

A) avoidance
B) competition
C) compromise
D) accommodation

Question 32

Ken and Tim realize that in order to resolve their conflict,it is better if they each get some of what they want instead of nothing.Ken and Tim are managing their conflict using the _____ strategy.

A) competing
B) compromising
C) accommodation
D) collaboration

Question 33

In terms of organizational conflicts,differences between members of one group is:

A) intragroup conflict.
B) intergroup conflict.
C) intrapersonal conflict.
D) interorganizational conflict.

Question 34

In which of the following situations can we threaten to and/or bring in a third party?

A) If issues are less consequential or problematic than at first believed
B) If we have issues that would be better dealt with via the reinforcement technique of "extinction"
C) If there are multiple satisfactory solutions
D) If one of the parties seems to be stubbornly refusing to compromise

Question 35

In a compromising strategy,a manager will:

A) agree to give up part of his/her goal and part of the relationship to reach an agreement.
B) work to achieve his/her goals at all costs,even if it means sacrificing the relationship.
C) choose not to deal with the issues or the people involved.
D) arrive at a solution that satisfies all parties' objectives and maintains the relationship.

Question 36

Sometimes the situation worsens because too much attention is paid to issues that are better to ignore.This tip for managing conflict relates to:

A) deciding whether to engage.
B) searching for a common goal or ground.
C) understanding the issues.
D) controlling temper and emotional response.

Question 37

Mary and Sue are having an argument.Sue does not care about her relationship with Mary and only wants to get what she wants out of the situation.Which style of conflict management does Sue appear to be using?

A) Avoiding
B) Competing
C) Compromising
D) Accommodating

Question 38

Collaborating strategy in conflict resolution is:

A) an "I win,you lose" strategy.
B) a "you win and I lose" strategy.
C) the ultimate "win-win" strategy.
D) the political equivalent of a "win some,lose some" strategy.

Question 39

_____ conflict resolution strategy is suitable for situations in which the issues are trivial,when emotions are high,or when others could resolve the conflict more effectively.

A) Withdrawing
B) Accommodating
C) Compromising
D) Forcing

Question 40

When achieving the goal takes precedence over maintaining relationships,_____ is the best strategy for conflict resolution.

A) accommodating
B) competing
C) compromising
D) collaborating

Question 41

How can the involvement of employees in organizational decisions that affect them help a firm?

Question 42

Which of the following is the first step in the 7-step model of conflict resolution?

A) Stick to the facts and state the impact
B) Seek to be understanding
C) Determine the best place to deliver feedback
D) Identify an action plan

Question 43

The three techniques that are particularly useful for avoiding conflicts using effective communication skills are using "I" language,paying attention to nonverbal cues,and:

A) to practice the art of being silent.
B) accommodating others' views.
C) communicating consequences.
D) using "you" language subtly.

Question 44

By utilizing strategies that help manage ____,organizations can maximize the benefits of conflict while minimizing costs.

A) negotiations
B) functional conflict
C) dysfunctional conflict
D) negative conflict

Question 45

Write a short note on providing diversity training for preventing conflict in organizations.

Question 46

Offering conflict management and negotiation training helps employees deal effectively with differing viewpoints and approaches,which,if managed well,can lead to ____.

A) groupthink
B) alignment of organizational systems
C) innovation
D) diverse experiences among members

Question 47

One of the outcomes of involving employees in decisions that affect them is:

A) that they are able to reduce some of the conflicts that arise from lack of information.
B) that they teach participants to listen actively and communicate assertively.
C) that employees are more committed to the solution and the changes needed to implement it.
D) that members will have a better idea of what to expect from-and how to excel in-a team experience.

Question 48

Why is it important to manage others' expectations in reducing the likelihood of a conflict when interacting with others in a personal/professional setting?

Question 49

Think of a conflict you have faced with a colleague or teammate.In that context,discuss the five conflict management strategies and evaluate them according to the accomplishment of achieving goals and maintaining relationships,assertiveness,and cooperation.

Question 50

When is conflict viewed as constructive and positive?