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

Two department heads disagree over shared budget resources. A manager decides to impose a decision quickly using formal authority without seeking either party's views. Which conflict-handling style is this?

This is the competing (forcing) style. The manager uses formal authority to impose a decision quickly, giving no weight to the views of the parties involved. It is assertive and uncooperative, unlike collaborating, compromising or accommodating, which all involve some regard for the other party.

  1. ACompeting (forcing)Correct
  2. BCollaborating
  3. CCompromising
  4. DAccommodating

Explanation

Competing or forcing uses power or authority to impose a solution, prioritising the manager's own concerns over the others'. Collaborating would involve joint problem solving, and compromising involves each side giving something up. Accommodating means yielding to the other party.

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