ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Sources of conflict and techniques for conflict resolution
A finance team has had a long-running dispute with the sales team over credit terms. As a result, the finance team now delays processing sales commission claims, and sales staff avoid sharing customer information. Which effect of conflict does this best illustrate?
This is dysfunctional conflict. Delaying commission processing and withholding customer information reduces cooperation between the teams and harms overall organisational performance. Any increase in cohesion within each team does not outweigh this damage to collaboration and shared goals.
- ADysfunctional conflict, because it reduces cooperation and harms organisational performanceCorrect
- BFunctional conflict, because it clarifies each team's priorities
- CFunctional conflict, because it increases group cohesion within each team
Explanation
The behaviours described (delaying work, withholding information) damage cooperation and hinder organisational goals, which is dysfunctional. Any cohesion gained within each team does not offset the harm caused to overall performance, so the functional options are wrong.
Did you get it right without looking?
One question tells you little. A timed set on Sources of conflict and techniques for conflict resolution shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.
More Sources of conflict and techniques for conflict resolution questions
- Priya, a team leader, has two staff who disagree about how to approach a project. She tells them to ignore the disagreement and carry on, ho…
- At Marlow plc, the production and marketing teams have been in conflict for a year. Marketing now sends customer requirements to production …
- Two departments each need the same shared budget of $100,000. Neither can be fully satisfied, so each agrees to accept $50,000 and give up p…
- During a serious data breach, the IT director instructs the team to follow an emergency procedure immediately and does not invite discussion…
- Two managers at Ardent plc disagree about a new product launch. Instead of bargaining over positions, they jointly explore each party's unde…
- A company merges two divisions. Staff in Division X were used to autonomy and informal decision-making, while Division Y staff work within r…