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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Sources of conflict and techniques for conflict resolution

A company must decide urgently on a safety shutdown of a production line. The operations director is certain it is necessary, and a delay for discussion would risk injury. Which approach is most appropriate, and why?

Competing is most appropriate. In an urgent safety situation, quick and decisive action matters more than consensus, and competing uses high assertiveness to impose the decision. Collaborating takes time, so although it builds relationships, it is unsuitable where delay could cause injury.

  1. ACollaborating, because it always produces the best long-term relationships
  2. BCompeting, because speed and a decisive stance are vital on an important issueCorrect
  3. CAvoiding, because the issue may resolve itself over time
  4. DAccommodating, because the other party's views should always prevail

Explanation

Competing (high assertiveness, low cooperativeness) suits emergencies and vital issues needing quick decisive action. Collaborating is time-consuming and unsuited to an urgent safety decision, despite its benefits for relationships in other settings.

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