Conflict Resolution in Multi-Cultural Settings (MMG761)
CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

SPRING

Instructor:
Shirley Harrell
800-877-4723 X0163

Today’s organizations may face greater potential for conflict than ever before in history. The marketplace, with its increasing competition and globalization, magnifies differences among people in terms of gender, race, ability, age, life orientation, personality, values, perceptions, languages, cultures, and national background. With the increasing diversity of the workforce comes potential incompatibility and conflict.

Conflict management skills are keys to management success. Estimates show that leaders spend about 21 percent of their time dealing with conflict. That is the equivalent of one day every week. Conflict management skills are a major predictor of managerial success. All conflicts require skills on the part of the leader, whose task is to stimulate functional conflict and prevent or resolve dysfunctional conflict.

This course focuses on developing managerial skills in conflict resolution with a corollary understanding of conflict in multi-cultural organizations and the effect conflict has on the organization’s innovation and productivity. The course uses a model developed by Tjosvold, which develops procedures for making conflict positive. The model uses four inter-related steps for creating conflict-positive organizations: 1) value diversity and confront differences; 2) seek mutual benefits and unite behind cooperative goals; 3) empower individuals to feel confident and skillful; and 4) take stock to reward success and learn from mistakes. The text for the course is Getting Together. (Two weekends; dates to be announced.)