Conflict Management Mechanisms In The Administration Of Cape Coast Polytechnic

ABSTRACT

Cape Coast Polytechnic, like any other organization, is likely to encounter

conflict. This survey identified causes and types of conflict among the Cape Coast

Polytechnic staff and examined the conflict management techniques employed in

managing it. The sample of this study was made of one hundred and fifteen

respondents selected from various departments of Cape Coast Polytechnic.

A validated questionnaire and interview guide were designed and

administered to collect data on the occurrence of conflict and conflict

management strategies. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts and

percentages.

The findings revealed that personality incompatibility, poor

communication, inadequate resources, power struggle, role ambiguity, time

pressure, favourtism and competition are responsible for conflict in Cape Coast

Polytechnic.

Again, the study revealed that management most often employed

dominance and supervision methods like forcing, coercing which created a winlose

situation in which the loser ended up being disappointed and hostile. Such

conflict management mechanisms, it was realized, never kept dysfunctional

conflict at an appreciable level but rather, tended to resurface itself in another

dimension.

Based on the findings, it is recommended that management of Cape Coast

Polytechnic needs to give prompt attention to addressing causes of conflicts. The

use of dialogue in resolving conflicts should be embraced. Again it is

recommended that management of Cape Coast Polytechnic should assist heads of

departments or concerned parties to re-examine conflict situations. Ideally,

management should both be willing to look at the situation from the other’s point

of view.

It further recommended that management should try as much as possible

to discourage victimization in the Polytechnic. Polytechnic staff should rather be

encouraged to give of their best. A complaints desk could be established in the

Polytechnic to look into issues of victimization before they explode into serious

conflicts. Such an avenue will serve as an early warning system.