Submitted by: Submitted by Uvantheren
Views: 429
Words: 2221
Pages: 9
Category: People
Date Submitted: 04/03/2011 01:47 AM
1. Introduction
In any organization, there are always issues of conflict which are both challenging and complex as these involve misunderstandings, differences in values and beliefs, ambition, interpersonal differences and feelings and emotions. (Open University, 2007 : 29). As such, the role of the manager in conflict resolution is imperative to ensure a fair, equitable and consistent approach is applied.
Organizational culture, power and authority are all ingredients that could have the potential to cause conflict (Open University, 2007: 27) more especially in an organization where different cultures meet as is the case of the acquisition of ICI Dulux by Akzo Nobel. Changing organizational culture is not straight forward and often the change is not controlled nor does it lead to the desired result (Hendry & Hope, 2007: 71), as they “represent the accumulated and often unconscious learning from what has worked to date. Therefore, individuals tend to view proposals to change an organisation’s culture from the mindset of the prevailing culture.” (Hendry & Hope, 2007: 72).
A recent incident of conflict that had arisen in ICI Dulux involved such a case related to organizational culture clashes.
2. The Conflict Situation
I will refer to the employee in this case as Mr X.
After the resignation of the production supervisor in the plant, Mr X was appointed in the capacity of Acting Production Supervisor a role he filled for 3 months. During the recruitment process, Mr X was afforded an interview and was asked to participate in a competency assessment to ascertain suitability for the position. Mr X was unfortunately unsuccessful and an external candidate got the job.
Mr X was aggrieved by the process given that he had filled the role for 3 months and the fact that one of the Company Values of Akzo Nobel (Akzo Nobel, 2010) is “Developing the Talents of our People” and the company instead chose to take an external candidate. A grievance meeting was set...