An Exploratory Study on Conflict Management with the Perspective of Education as a Variable

Abstract

A conflict is a disagreement between two or more parties (people/group). Conflict management has become a key criterion in understanding how an individual handles stressful situation and indeed comes out with a “win-win” solution for both of the conflicting parties. Emotional intelligence is often linked with an individual’s conflict managing style. One of the determinants/variables in creating the conflict management corpus in an individual is considered to be education. The research have shown a dependent relationship between the stream of education and the conflict management techniques promptly availed by an individual. Hence, the purpose of this research was to explore a relationship between the two. A sample of 200 final year undergraduate students was selected to aggregate the results of this study, while specific focus was on the field of computer engineering and management. This will allow for more psychological consideration while grooming the potential human resource for their future endeavors. The Thomas–Kilmann conflict mode instrument; a standardized instrument, was employed to collect the primary data necessary to complete the research. A rendezvous with each of the subjects was conducted in a quiet environment where they filled up the questionnaire and asked questions regarding the same (if any). It was made sure that the effect of environmental factors on the subjects was as minimal as possible; however, due to human factors, it is not completely avoidable. This as such resulted in quantitative research. The findings of this research would materialize a framework for training the students for organizational conflicts, and subsequently, its managing techniques while they are in the university itself. This would ameliorate the circumstances for both of them as well as their prospective employer.

Keywords: Conflict Management; Education; Psychology; Human Resource; Computer Engineering; Management; Thomas–Kilmann

Australian Academy of Business and Economics Review, vol 3, issue 1, January 2017, pp 13-26