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

A manager argues that a complete absence of conflict in her team is a sign of a healthy organisation. Which response is most consistent with the view that some conflict can be beneficial?

A complete lack of conflict may signal complacency or suppressed opinions, which reduces creativity and challenge to current practices. Moderate conflict can improve decisions and innovation, so absence of conflict is not automatically a sign of a healthy team.

  1. AAbsence of conflict may indicate complacency or suppressed views, reducing creativity and challenge to existing practicesCorrect
  2. BAbsence of conflict always shows that team members share identical objectives and need no further motivation
  3. CAbsence of conflict guarantees that decisions will be implemented more quickly and with better quality

Explanation

The modern view is that moderate conflict can stimulate innovation and challenge assumptions. No conflict may mean complacency or suppressed disagreement. The other options make absolute claims ('always', 'guarantees') that are not supported.

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