ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOR

GROUP CONFLICT &

RESOLUTION
Done By : Pavithra Prabhu
Vaishnav Babu
INTRODUCTION
 TYPES OF GROUP

The Informal groups can be referred to as alliances

The Formal groups are those which are defined by
the organization’s structure, with designated work
In the organizational structure , the Groups can be
assignments establishing tasks where; the behaviors
either formal or informal depending upon
that one should engage in are stipulated by and
their nature.
directed toward organizational goals. E.g. an airline
flight crew is an example of a formal group.
that are neither formally structured nor
organizationally determined where; Natural
The formal groups can be further classified as
formations in the work environment are in response
command groups and task groups
to the need for social contact. e.g. Three employees
from different departments who regularly eat lunch
together is an informal group.

The Task groups are organizationally determined

The Command groups are dictated by the formal
organization where the organization chart determines
a command group.
and represent those working together to complete a
job task. A task group’s boundaries are not limited to
its immediate hierarchical superior. It can cross An interest group is where People affiliate to attain
The informal groups can be further classified as
command relationships. For instance, if a college a specific social objective with which each is
interest groups and Friendship groups .
student is accused of a campus crime, it may require concerned.
communication and the director of security, and the
student’s advisor. All command groups are also task
groups, but the reverse need not be true.
 GROUP CONFLICT
• Definition: Organizational Conflict or
otherwise known as workplace conflict, is
described as the state of disagreement
or misunderstanding, resulting from the
actual or perceived dissent of needs,
beliefs, resources and relationship
between the members of the
organization. At the workplace,
whenever, two or more persons interact,
conflict occurs when opinions with
respect to any task or decision are in
contradiction.
FACTORS INFLUENCING GROUP
CONFLICT
1. Unclear Responsibility: If there is lack of clarity, regarding who
is responsible for which section of a task or project, conflict
takes place. And, to avoid this situation, the roles and
responsibility of the team members should be stated clearly and
also agreed upon by all.
2. Interpersonal Relationship: Every member of an organization,
possesses different personality, which plays a crucial role in
resolving conflict in an organization. Conflicts at the workplace,
are often caused by interpersonal issues between the members
of the organization.
3. Scarcity of Resources: One of the main reason for occurence
of conflict in an organization is the inadequacy of resources like
time, money, materials etc. due to which members of the
organization compete with each other, leading to conflict
between them.
4. Conflict of Interest: When there is a disorientation between the
personal goals of the individual and the goals of the organization,
conflict of interest arises, as the individual may fight for his
personal goals, which hinders the overall success of the project.
 FORMS OF CONFLICTS
Functional conflict: Positive conflict:
Functional conflict is also known as constructive conflict. Such conflict will have positive effects on individuals, groups
and organizations. Such conflict is useful in order to solve problems related to individuals and groups. Functional conflict
is important for effective performance due to the following reasons:
It ventilates tension from the organization.
It increases individual's efforts at work.
It helps thinking analytically.
It provides foundation for organizational change and development.
It provides an individual a chance to think again, undertake self introspection and have a second look at the existing
things, like procedures, policies, equipment, behaviors etc.

Dysfunctional Conflict: Negative Effects

Dysfunctional conflict is also known as destructive conflict. Many times conflict may be detrimental and disastrous. Such
conflict has negative effect on individuals, groups and the organizational levels. The effects might be diverting energies,
hurting group cohesion, promoting interpersonal hostilities and creating negative working environment. Due to the
dysfunctional conflict and its negative effects, employees become dissatisfied with the working environment and as a
result, absenteeism will increase and productivity will decline. A few dysfunctional effects of rising conflict include:
Increasing conflict will result in delays in meeting schedules, decrease in the quality of goods and services and finally will
increase customer complaints.
It is undesirable if it creates a climate of distrust and suspicion among people, if some people feel are defeated and
demanded and it develops antagonism instead of spirit of cooperation.
In the absence of smooth communication at the workplace, there will be problems in coordinating activities.
FUNCTIONAL & DSYFUNCTIONAL
 TYPES OF CONFLICT
• Intrapersonal Conflict

• The intrapersonal conflict is conflict experienced by a single individual, when his or her own goals, values or roles diverge.
A lawyer may experience a conflict of values when he represents a defendant he knows to be guilty of the charges brought
against him. A worker whose goal it is to earn her MBA might experience an intrapersonal conflict when she’s offered a
position that requires her to transfer to a different state. Or it might be a role conflict where a worker might have to choose
between dinner with clients or dinner with family.

• Interpersonal Conflict

• As you might guess, interpersonal conflict is conflict due to differences in goals, value, and styles between two or more
people who are required to interact. As this type of conflict is between individuals, the conflicts can get very personal.

• Intragroup Conflict

• Intragroup conflict is conflict within a group or team, where members conflict over goals or procedures. For instance, a board
of directors may want to take a risk to launch a set of products on behalf of their organization, in spite of dissenting opinions
among several members. Intragroup conflict takes place among them as they argue the pros and cons of taking such a risk.

• Intergroup Conflict

• Intergroup conflict is when conflict between groups inside and outside an organization disagree on various issues. Conflict
can also arise between two groups within the same organization, and that also would be considered intergroup conflict.
•TASK CONFLICT:
•TASK CONFLICT RELATES TO THE CONTENT AND GOAL OF THE WORK. ACCORDING TO GRAVES,
TASK CONFLICT ARISES AMONG MEMBERS OF TEAM AND AFFECTS THE GOALS AND TASKS THEY
ARE STRIVING TO ACHIEVE. IT CAN BE BASED ON DIFFERENCES IN VISION, INTENTION, AND
QUALITY EXPECTATION. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO FOCUS AND CHANNEL ANY TASK CONFLICT SO THAT
THESE DIFFERENCES BECOME COLLABORATIVE AND LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WAY AND
GO ABOUT ACCOMPLISHING CURRENT AND FUTURE TASK. CONVERTING CONFLICT TO FRIENDLY
COMPETITION MIGHT BE ONE WAY OF TAKING THE BEST FROM BOTH SIDES.

•ROLE CONFLICT:
•CONFLICT SURROUNDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESPECIALLY COMMON DURING OR
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE, PARTICULARLY RESTRUCTURINGS. PEOPLE
MAY BE UNCLEAR ON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHICH DECISIONS AND OUTPUTS.

•PROCESS CONFLICT:
•THIS IS RELATED TO HOW THE WORK GETS DONE. THIS FORM OF CONFLICT CENTRES AROUND,
THE PROCESS, PROCEDURES, STEPS OR METHODS USED TO REACH GOAL. ONE PERSON MIGHT LIKE
TO PLAN MANY STEPS AHEAD WHILE OTHERS MIGHT LIKE TO DIVE IN HEADFIRST. THESE
DIFFERENCES IN APPROACHES OR PROCESSES CAN LEAD TO COMMUNICATION BREAK DOWNS AND
ULTIMATELY CONFLICT. HEALTHY DIFFERENCES IN APPROACHES TO PROCESS WILL OFTEN LEAD
TO IMPROVED WAY OF DOING JOB.
CASE STUDY
GROUP CONFLICT IN
NETFLIX’S CULTURAL
EVOLUTION
Background: Netflix is a subscription-based streaming service that allows
our members to watch TV shows and movies on an internet-connected
device. Depending on your plan, you can also download TV shows and
movies to your iOS, Android, or Windows 10 device and watch without
an internet connection. The streaming entertainment giant is experienced
significant group conflicts and cultural challenges during its
transformation from a dvd rental company to a digital streaming platform.
Challenges : Conflicts arose within the company regarding strategic
direction organization culture and talent management between different
departments for the functional transition these challenges threatened to
disrupt Netflix rapidly growing digital platform and hindered its growth in
evolving entertainment industry
Resolution :
Talent management : Netflix encountered conflicts related to talent
management and retention as it expanded its digital streaming business.
Company implemented :
• Performance based incentives
• talent development programs
• Transparent career advancement
•ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE: CONFLICTS EMERGED WITHIN WORKFORCE REGARDING THE
COMPANIES CULTURE OF FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR FLEXIBLE WORK HOURS AND
UNLIMITED VACATION POLICIES. COMPANY IMPLEMENTED
• CULTURAL ALIGNMENT PROGRAMS
• LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS
• INNOVATION AND PRODUCTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT

•STRATEGIC TACTICS: THERE WERE CONFLICTS AMONG LEADERSHIP TEAM REGARDING THR SHIFT
FROM A SUBSCRIPTION BASED DVD RENTAL MODEL TO ONLINE STREAMING PLATFORM. THE
COMPANY IMPLEMENTED:
• EXECUTIVE DISCUSSIONS
• STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS
• PRIORITY MANAGEMENT

•OUTCOME: THROUGH THIS STRATEGIES NETFLIX COULD RESOLVE THE INTERNAL CONFLICT AND
CULTURAL EVOLUTION WITH THESE SOLUTIONS AND POSITIONED ITSELF AS A LEADING PLAYER
THE GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IT CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS IN THE
DIGITAL STREAMING MARKET
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/organization/conflict-man
agement/organizational-conflict/99695
• https://analysisproject.blogspot.com/2020/09/functional-and-
dysfunctional-conflicts.html
• https://medium.com/@rgdaksh03122005/unveiling-the-strea
ming-revolution-how-did-netflix-transform-from-dvd-rentals
-to-global-streaming-c1bfc9dcbdd7
THANK YOU