Research an organization that has recently had major conflict that made the news. You must identify the organization and the source of the conflict.
Instructions:
- Describe the five common approaches individuals use to deal with conflict, and identify and explain the approach(es) this organization has used to deal with conflict.
- Explain the negative and positive consequences of the conflict.
- Provide an example of how this organization could have handled the conflict in a different manner, and discuss possible outcomes from this approach.
- Summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the conflict resolution approaches you researched.
Paper Requirements:
- Your paper should include an introduction and a conclusion and should be 4-5 pages long, not including the title or reference pages, which you must include.
- Incorporate two scholarly references that are not required readings for this module
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In today’s global business environment, conflict can arise in any organization and can have significant negative effects on employees, customers, and the public. The way an organization approaches and deals with conflict can determine its success or failure. In this paper, we will examine the conflict within Uber that made the news in 2017 and analyze the conflict resolution approaches used by the organization.
Organization and Conflict:
Uber is a multinational ride-hailing company that provides transportation services to customers through its smartphone application. In 2017, the company faced several controversies and conflicts, which made the news. One of the significant conflicts was between the company’s CEO, Travis Kalanick, and one of the drivers, Fawzi Kamal.
Five Common Approaches Used to Deal with Conflict:
1. Competing – fighting to win rather than finding solutions that work for both parties.
2. Collaborating – trying to find solutions for both parties that will satisfy everyone.
3. Compromising – searching for middle ground to reach a satisfactory solution for both parties.
4. Avoiding – not addressing the conflict at all.
5. Accommodating – giving into the demands of the other party to maintain harmony.
Approaches Used by Uber:
Uber’s approach to conflict resolution was initially avoiding, where the company CEO Travis Kalanick did not address the issues brought up by Fawzi Kamal. Later, the approach shifted to competing, where the company fought to win the issue without finding solutions that would satisfy both parties.
Positive and Negative Consequences:
The negative consequence of the conflict was that Uber’s reputation was damaged, and the public’s trust was affected. The positive consequence was an increase in the company’s transparency, accountability, and public scrutiny.
Different Approach and Outcomes:
Uber could have handled the conflict in a different manner by adopting a collaborative approach, where the company could have worked with Fawzi Kamal to find a solution that satisfies all parties. This would have resulted in a more positive public image for Uber and solved the issues raised by its drivers.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Conflict Resolution Approaches:
The strengths of a collaborative approach are that it leads to long-term solutions that satisfy all parties, builds trust, and creates a positive working environment. The weakness is that it can be time-consuming, and it may not always be possible to satisfy all parties. On the other hand, avoiding conflict may seem like the easiest approach; it can lead to a lack of trust, and the conflict can escalate, leading to a negative outcome for all parties involved.
Conclusion:
Conflict is an inevitable part of any organization, and the way it is resolved can predict its success or failure. By analyzing the conflict between Uber and its drivers, we can learn that avoiding conflict is not a sustainable approach, and competing in conflicts can cause severe damage to the reputation of the organization. A collaborative approach is the best way to resolve conflict, satisfying all parties, creating a positive working environment, and leading to long-term solutions.
