CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL-LEARNING IN SMALL AND MEDIUM FIRMS IN KOGI STATE

Abstract

This study focuses on constructive conflicts and organizational learning within SMEs in Kogi State. It examines the effects of trust and credibility, teamwork, performance improvement and common goals on constructive conflicts within SMEs in Kogi State; and ascertained the relationship between gender diversity and constructive conflicts within SMEs in Kogi State. The study uses a survey research approach and multi-stage sampling was adopted, the sample size of 367 was selected. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics, Stepwise Multiple Regression (SMR) and Pearson Correlation Matrix. Findings show that trust and credibility, teamwork, performance improvement and common goals have strong and significant effects on constructive conflicts within SMEs in Kogi State. Further, it shows that gender diversity has a significant relationship with constructive conflicts within SMEs in Kogi State. The study concluded that manageable amount of conflict is productive and recommended that SME owners and managers should be committed to long-term constructive conflict approaches, and should pay attention to gender diversity as a critical group contingency.