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

Two managers at Ardent plc disagree about a new product launch. Instead of bargaining over positions, they jointly explore each party's underlying concerns and develop a new plan that fully meets both sets of objectives, although this takes considerable time. Which statement about this approach is most accurate?

This is collaborating, which combines high assertiveness with high cooperativeness. The parties explore underlying concerns and create a solution fully meeting both sets of objectives, a win-win outcome. Its drawback is that it takes time and trust. Compromising would instead require each side to give up part of its aim.

  1. AIt is collaborating, which produces win-win outcomes but is time-consumingCorrect
  2. BIt is compromising, because both sides give up something
  3. CIt is accommodating, because the managers cooperate with each other
  4. DIt is competing, because each manager advances their own objectives

Explanation

Exploring underlying concerns and creating a solution satisfying both parties fully is collaborating (high assertiveness, high cooperativeness). It yields win-win results but needs time and trust. Compromising would involve each side partly giving up its aims, which is not described.

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