Discussion – Communication and Conflict

Discussion – Communication and Conflict

Proposed Research

Organizational communication strategies are critical to the management of conflict. Earlier, conflict was perceived as a negative aspect with detrimental effects. This perception has changed as more organizations learn that conflict can be positive or negative depending on the manner of handling. Communication plays a critical role in the proper management of conflicts in an entity (Adejimola, 2009). Through communication, it is possible to exchange information, which may lead to conflict resolution. As conflicts escalate and reach the maturity stages, managers are tasked with the role of providing information to colleagues and subordinates.

Further, into the conflict, most individuals become level-headed and conduct a cost-benefit analysis using the available information. As tempers cool down, the sight of a decision that would lead to resolution is clearer. However, the lack of such expertise in organizations causes conflicts to influence the entities negatively instead of positively. The presence of conflicts, even in personal spaces, tends to wear down all aspects that were initially perceived as valuable. When this occurrence is present in an organization, the employees may lose morale and direction, which leads to more unwanted consequences, such as loss of revenue (Anand & Walsh, 2020). Thus, grasping the ability to utilize communication efficiently during conflict resolution is a necessary skill that should benefit organizations immensely. Our assignment writing help is at affordable prices to students of all academic levels and disciplines.

Research problem

SME organizational managers and employees lack an understanding of the role of communication strategies in resolving conflict due to lack/insufficient information/knowledge sharing.

Research questions

• How do SME managers handle conflicts in the organization?
• What effects have conflicts had on SMEs?
• What communication strategies are in place for effective conflict resolution?
• How do managers plan to improve the conflict resolution process?
• How do managers ensure that information sharing is efficient?

Small organizations and large ones alike require sharing information through various levels. For this reason, communication channels such as the vertical, upward, and downward have been formulated to facilitate the entire process. However, the size of SMEs tends to incapacitate the knowledge/information-sharing process due to informal modes of communication and management. The lack of systems that guide these organizations cripples the communication processes, as most SMEs prefer to use oral communication. As employees in these SMEs lose interest in the process of transferring tacit knowledge, the tendency endangers the organizations’ well-being and sustainability largely. Conflict in all organizations occurs partly due to misinformation or disinformation. Misinformation is the deliberate act of withholding valid information and instead spread fabricated facts. Disinformation occurs when individuals withhold information from each other deliberately. This causes suspicion among employees, loss of trust, and lack of confidence, which result in full-blown conflicts when left unaddressed. This causes one to question the information/knowledge-sharing processes and systems that organizations, especially SMEs, have in place that would facilitate the efficient resolution of conflicts.

Research methods

Both qualitative and quantitative research methods would work for this study. The qualitative methods include an exploratory approach that incorporates grounded theory. Through interviews, it would be possible to collect data regarding SMEs’ communication and knowledge/information-sharing processes. This choice of approach is motivated by the need to obtain information regarding people’s feelings, which are greatly affected when conflict arises. The cultural and emotional aspects of willing participants are critical to such a study (Anand & Walsh, 2020). Thus, to gain insights into these subjective yet important aspects, in-depth interviews that seek to explore the conflict resolution and communication processes are critical; the data collected should be coded to identify consistencies among respondents.

Quantitative methods that can be applied in the study would begin with nonrandomized sampling methods that seek to collate managers in SMEs. Through an experimental approach, it would be possible to collect data using interviews or questionnaires. Data analysis using software such as ANOVA or SPSS would follow in making sense of the data. Of the two approaches, the qualitative approach is better suited for this kind of study due to its ability to grasp subjective aspects. In addition, the lack of data regarding SMEs creates a need to avoid reliance on prefabricated assumptions. The method’s flexibility is critical to filling the information gap.

Phenomenology

The phenomenology approach is used when researchers seek to describe a phenomenon from the perspective of those who experience or understand it. The results of such a study would create an understanding of the said phenomenon. In this study, the phenomenon under study is the lack of ability to resolve conflict efficiently among managers in SMEs. Thus, to understand this research problem, the researchers have to explore it. The current situation in SMEs is influenced by managers (Teherani & Martimianakis, 2015). The study offers an opportunity to understand the issue from the SME perspective. Such understanding provides a chance to formulate strategies that would lead to the improvement of various elements that are associated with unwanted results. In addition, managers in SMEs would also receive enlightenment regarding their shortcomings as far as the usage of communication strategies is concerned.

References

Adejimola, A. S. (2009). Language and communication in conflict resolution. Journal of Law and Conflict Resolution, 1(1), 001-009.

Anand, A., & Walsh, I. (2020). The four stages of the knowledge sharing process in SMEs. International Journal of Enterprenuership and Innovation Management, 24(6), 465-481.

Teherani, A., & Martimianakis, T. (2015). Choosing a Qualitative Research Approach. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 7(4), 669-670.

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Discussion – Communication and Conflict

First, determine and explain the purpose of your proposed research.
Second, the research problem and research question should be developed. Explain any relevant background insights you have gathered to develop the problem statement and question.
Third, qualitative and quantitative research methods should be compared. Choose which you feel would work best for this research proposal, and explain why.
Finally, offer possible approaches that could be used in your research. Explain the rationale for your choices.
Your proposal must be at least three pages in length. You must use a minimum of three academically reliable sources to support your proposal. Adhere to APA Style when constructing this assignment, including in-text citations and references for all sources that are used. Please note that no abstract is needed.