Conflict Management Framework Research Articles

Social Psychology Inspired Reinforcement Learning Framework for Conflict Management in Connected Vehicles

In any connected network, resource scarcity, perceived road blocks, and incongruent objectives can potentially ensue conflicts among stakeholders. In the existing literature, trust has been cited as a crucial component in effective conflict management. Besides trust, empathy, and social intelligence play decisive roles in enhancing cooperation, encouraging information sharing, and promoting problem solving. In this paper, we discuss the three major components of conflict management and propose a computational model, which is inspired from social psychology for conflict management in connected vehicles (CV). Our mathematical algorithm focuses on three factors, namely trust, empathy, and social intelligence that are learned via social interactions among vehicles to ensure safety of vehicles and passengers. The triad of trust, empathy, and social intelligence is used to aid reinforcement learning (RL) for obtaining the optimal q-values and rewards in the shortest duration of time in the CV network. We have examined how the three factors influence the learning process and analysed their conflict management potentials. Results show that the proposed model is 118:18% more efficient than the trust-only-based RL algorithm.

Conflict Management in Healthcare Leadership; A Narrative Review

Conflict resolution is not merely a skill but an essential leadership competency for healthcare professionals. Unaddressed conflicts can have detrimental consequences on patient care, team morale, and organizational productivity. This article delves into the significance of conflict management in healthcare, exploring its multifaceted impact and highlighting the role of leadership in fostering a conflict-resilient work culture. Understanding the root causes of conflicts, such as resource constraints, communication challenges, and differences in personal and professional characteristics, is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Healthcare leaders need to adopt proactive approaches to conflict management, emphasizing open communication, mutual respect, and collaborative problem-solving. The article explores various conflict management models, providing healthcare leaders with a toolkit for effective conflict resolution. It highlights the role of emotional intelligence and ethical leadership behaviors in conflict mitigation and discusses the need for a dynamic conflict management framework and its implications in the healthcare environment. It also outlines the need for self-assessment of conflict management skills, essential conflict management strategies and effective leadership tactics to resolve a range of conflict management challenges. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of early intervention and effective handling of conflicts by professional communication. The findings in this article provide a practical roadmap for developing conflict management competencies in healthcare leaders. Importantly, they unravel the nuances of potential conflict management approaches, warranted to establish a conflict-resilient culture in the clinical practice environment.

Synergistic Municipal-community partnership: Resolving Challenges in the Implementation of the National Slum Upgrading Program (KOTAKU) in Gajah Wong Riverbank Area, Yogyakarta

The successful resolution of challenges faced during the implementation of the National Slum Upgrading (KOTAKU) Program in Gajah Wong Riverbank area, marked by initial resistance from affected communities, was achieved through the inclusive engagement of diverse community elements and collaborating agencies. This intricate interplay among stakeholders has a profound influence on the program’s effectiveness. This study aims to unravel the dynamic relationships forged among various agencies and community components within the conflict management framework, ultimately enhancing program implementation. To attain this objective, a qualitative methodology employing a case study approach was utilized. The investigation revealed that the local government, in executing the National Slum Upgrading (KOTAKU), fostered collaboration with other governmental entities through a synergistic alignment of related programs. Reinforcing the program through the utilization of complementary initiatives contributed to achieving program objectives without resource constraints. The synergy among agencies was bolstered by optimizing existing social institutions within the community as active program implementers. This, in turn, positively influenced the processes of identification, socialization, and coordination, ensuring their effectiveness. Furthermore, the active involvement of the local community played a pivotal role in addressing challenges and overcoming initial resistance. The application of a persuasive socialization model effectively conveyed the program’s significance in improving the residents’ welfare, thereby fostering acceptance. This collaborative pattern depicts a synergistic model aligning policy maker interests with community needs, characterized by a continuous spectrum of participation and empowerment.

Multi-Vehicle Conflict Management With Status and Intent Sharing Under Time Delays

This paper discusses conflict analysis for multiple vehicles possessing different automation levels. Two different classes of cooperation, enabled by vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, are considered: status-sharing and intent-sharing. Status sharing allows vehicles to exchange their instantaneous states with each other (e.g., current velocity and position), whereas intent sharing also enables information exchange regarding the future motion of vehicles (e.g., velocity and acceleration bounds). We consider two types of time delays, one in vehicle dynamics and the other in V2X communication. Using reachability theory, our conflict analysis framework interprets the information encoded in the wireless messages pertaining to the two different cooperation classes by means of conflict charts. These charts allow for efficient and reliable on-board decision making and control design for a connected automated ego vehicle which interacts with multiple connected remote vehicles when carrying out different maneuvers. We quantify the effects of time delays in a mixed-autonomy traffic environment and unveil the benefits of intent information. Utilizing real highway data, we use numerical simulations to validate the extended conflict management framework.

Influence of the Kenya National Policy on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Framework on the Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees in Mombasa County

Global experience with sustainable peacebuilding has been diverse since the term was formally introduced to the world by the United Nations in 1992. Since then, peacebuilding has been implemented in the absence of a universally accepted approach or clear criteria for success. Multiple actors have conceptualized and implemented peacebuilding to correspond with their contexts and needs. This is true for Kenya and Mombasa County, in particular. Mombasa Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees have been conducting peacebuilding in the County, against the backdrop of old conflict drivers such as poverty and resource-based conflict, and emerging threats to peace such as drug trafficking and youth radicalization. Therefore, the ability of the Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees to foster sustainable peacebuilding in these circumstances needs to be interrogated. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the policy framework of the formal peacebuilding infrastructure in fostering sustainable peacebuilding. The conceptual framework was based on Galtung’s Theory of Peacebuilding, Galtung’s Theory of Structural Violence, and Lederach’s Conflict Transformation Theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and applied both convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews (KII), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides and observation checklists. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis. The study findings indicated that Mombasa County Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees are experiencing diminished agency because of a lack of resources to carry out peacebuilding work in the County. Those members of the Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees were not competent to undertake modern-day peacebuilding activities because of inadequate training. Therefore; the study recommends that the idea of peacebuilding through local peacebuilding structures such as Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees be a priority in Kenya’s peacebuilding discourse with some modifications in the formation and functioning of Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees. The Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees should be de-linked from the county security processes and positioned as the “Honest Brokers for Peacebuilding”, whose primary responsibility will be to harness all available resources in their locality to bear on their peacebuilding agenda. The national government should educate the public about peacebuilding and the role that Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees are expected to play in this agenda.

Peacebuilding in Politically Challenging Environments: How Do Local Peacebuilders Navigate Muddy Waters in the South Caucasus?

Abstract With the global proliferation of the liberal peace agenda, there has been an increase in attention to the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGO s) in the development and support of national peace agendas. However, with the rise of authoritarian states around the world, and the closing of civic spaces, NGO s have become constrained and limited in their actions. We often see autocratic and repressive regimes not welcoming the implementation of any initiatives that fall outside the scope of their official negotiation platforms, and therefore, limiting the participation of their citizens in unofficial peacebuilding initiatives. Through the application of the authoritarian conflict management framework, this article discusses the challenges of carrying out peacebuilding work in such non-permissive environments in the context of the South Caucasus and points out ways that local peacebuilding organizations and peace activists work around these restrictions to negotiate the reconciliation space that they are attempting to create.

Ubuntu Politics of Process: An Alternative Conflict Management Culture in Universities

Conflict is inevitable in an organization that depends on people’s collaboration and togetherness in actualizing its aims and objectives. A university system, which comprises staff, students, and other extraneous subjects and objects, remains under perpetual uneasiness due to interpersonal conflicts between members of staff, management and staff, students, and students and management or against other staff. The conflicts between these critical stakeholders are inevitable, not only because of the differences in their responsibilities towards organizational goals but because the place of individual differences can not be underestimated. This study presents the Ubuntu politics of process as an alternative to managing organizational conflict in the university system. The study answers questions such as: what are the Ubuntu politics of process, and how can it be deployed to manage or prevent conflicts? This article is theoretical and located within the transformative paradigm. A conceptual analysis was employed to interpret Ubuntu as a framework for alternative conflict management in universities. The concept of Ubuntu was presented, and its politics of process as the assumptions were also presented. The nexus between Ubuntu and conflict management was also argued. The findings showed that the spirit of solidarity and sharing, positive and optimist mindedness, compassion and inner goodness factors can minimize organizational conflict in the university system. The study concludes that the Ubuntu politics of process is a dimension of conflict management in the university system. Universities should promote solidarity and the spirit of sharing, positiveness, an optimistic way of life, caring and compassion, and inner goodness among stakeholders.

Exploring Routes to Coexistence: Developing and Testing a Human–Elephant Conflict-Management Framework for African Elephant-Range Countries

Creating a future for elephants and people is a highly complex and dynamic challenge, involving social, behavioral, and ecological dimensions as well as multiple actors with various interests. To foster learning from human–elephant conflict (HEC) management projects and share best practices, a study was conducted to review the management of conflicts between elephants and humans in 12 African countries by qualitative expert interviews. Based on this information, a HEC management framework was developed in a two-tiered process. In the first phase, the theory of the framework was developed. In a second phase, the theoretical framework was validated and adjusted through stakeholder participation in two southern African projects (in Mozambique and Malawi). This holistic approach considers environmental as well as social, political, cultural, and economic factors directly or indirectly affecting interactions between people and wildlife. The framework integrates six interlinked strategies to guide managers and conservation practitioners to address HWC drivers and mitigate their impact. A legal environment and spatial planning form the basis of the framework. Social strategies, including meaningful stakeholder engagement and design of appropriate institutional structures and processes are considered the heart of the framework. Technical and financial strategies represent its arms and hands. At the top, monitoring steers all processes, provides feedback for adjustment, and informs decisions. The integration and coordination of these six strategies has great potential as a guiding route to human–wildlife coexistence in Africa and elsewhere.

Recognizing and coordinating multidimensional dynamic stakeholder value conflicts for sustainability-oriented Construction Land Reduction projects in Shanghai, China: An integrated SA-SNA-TRIZ approach

As a characteristic new means for China to curb the excessive and disordered expansion of construction land, Construction Land Reduction (CLR) plays a significant role in achieving the sustainable use of land resources in economic, ecological and social terms. However, frequent value conflicts inevitably arise over diverse value appeals of various stakeholders throughout all phases of CLR projects, which has greatly impeded the effective implementation of CLR projects in China. To systematically recognize and strategically coordinate stakeholder value conflicts regarding multidimensional dynamic values under limited management resources and insufficient project experience, this study proposes an integrated SA (stakeholder analysis) - SNA (social network analysis) - TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving) approach built on a systematic framework for stakeholder value conflict management. An empirical study on Shanghai's CLR projects is conducted to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed approach. A total of 280 pairs of value conflicts over 53 value appeals of 11 stakeholders are identified during the four phases of CLR projects in the SA-based conflict identification process, with 4 key value appeals and 21 key value conflicts prioritized in the SNA-based criticality evaluation process. Through the TRIZ-based strategy proposal process, 31 targeted coordination strategies are proposed, from which six major managerial and policy implications for CLR can be distilled. Methodologically, this study contributes to conflict management research by providing an integrated SA-SNA-TRIZ approach with a novel systematic methodological framework. Practically, the research outcomes provide policy makers and practitioners with useful new insights into managing stakeholder value conflicts, thereby driving successful project implementation and facilitating sustainability practices.

NATO’s sub-conventional deterrence: The case of Russian violations of the Estonian airspace

ABSTRACT The question of how to deter sub-conventional activities—characterized by a limited role for the use of force—is one of the biggest puzzles in security studies. A way forward might be to use an enduring rivalry conflict management framework and to focus on findings from criminology. As the case study of 56 Estonian airspace violations suggests, executing sub-conventional deterrence is not an easy task to achieve. NATO’s deterrence success remains elusive, because there is no consistency in responding to these violations and no meaningful punishment. Yet many changes in frequency, intensity, and volatility of Russian intrusions over the last two decades indicate that a successful dissuasion, if not de-escalation, is still possible. To achieve that, NATO needs to improve information transmission, define its deterrence goals more narrowly, impose group-level costs, and implement dynamic deterrence mechanisms offering alternative modes of behavior.

Automated Conflict Management Framework Development for Autonomous Aerial and Ground Vehicles

The number of aerial- and ground-based unmanned vehicles and operations is expected to significantly expand in the near future. While aviation traditionally has an excellent safety record in managing conflicts, the current approaches will not be able to provide safe and efficient operations in the future. This paper presents the development of a novel framework integrating autonomous aerial and ground vehicles to facilitate short- and mid-term tactical conflict management. The methodology presents the development of a modular web service framework to develop new conflict management algorithms. This new framework is aimed at managing urban and peri-urban traffic of unmanned ground vehicles and assisting the introduction of urban air mobility into the same framework. A set of high-level system requirements is defined. The incremental development of two versions of the system prototype is presented. The discussions highlight the lessons learnt while implementing and testing the conflict management system and the introduced version of the stop-and-go resolution algorithm and defines the identified future development directions. Operation of the system was successfully demonstrated using real hardware. The developed framework implements short- and mid-term conflict management methodologies in a safe, resource efficient and scalable manner and can be used for the further development and the evaluation of various methods integrating aerial- and ground-based autonomous vehicles.

Transforming training into practice with the conflict management framework: a mixed methods study

ObjectiveTo implement and evaluate the use of the conflict management framework (CMF) in four tertiary UK paediatric services.DesignMixed methods multisite evaluation including prospective pre and post intervention collection of conflict...

Decision making framework for the proactive policy conflict management: The case of new airport projects in South Korea.

We propose a decision-making framework on infrastructure policy conflict management based on a scientific approach. We developed a decision-making framework that consists of the systematic conflict structure diagnosis, decision-making accordingly, and feedback to be used consistently in the policy life cycle and applied it to new airport projects in South Korea. We suggested a model structure of conflict factors leading to the generation of conflict situations and damages in the process and developed the conflict level diagnosis table and the conflict level matrix formed of the possibility of conflict generation and the severity based on the table. We then implemented a decision-making framework that includes decision-making based on it. The case analysis results confirmed the need for a structural diagnosis of conflict and decision-making based on the framework. The developed framework is expected to have scalability for science progress on infrastructure policy conflict management.

"Hot Seat" Simulation to Teach Conflict Management Skills to Residents.

Conflict management is an important leadership skill for residents to develop, yet it is a challenging skill to practice. We developed and evaluated a workshop that teaches conflict resolution skills to physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in a group setting with real-time faculty coaching and peer feedback. A 4-step model for handling work-related conflicts was taught, and then residents practiced their skills during a realistic simulated conflict with a trained actor. A faculty coach supported the participant, and peers gave feedback and suggestions in real time as the scripted conflict unfolded. Immediate post-session survey results were analyzed. Workshops were conducted in 2015, 2017, and 2019. A total of 36 residents participated and completed evaluations out of a possible 40 residents in the cohort (90% participation rate). Post-session surveys showed that 100% of participants agreed the session content was relevant to their training and they would use the skills in the future. Ninety-seven percent (35 of 36) felt prepared to manage conflict following the session. This experiential workshop helped cultivate an appreciation of the importance of conflict management skills in residents' professional development and confidence in their ability to apply a conflict management framework to real-world situations.

Water in military stabilisation operations: comprehensive water intervention framework for conflict management and peacekeeping

Abstract Water issues can be a root cause of political instability, but even in times of crisis, and especially in the aftermath of war, water management also requires and contributes towards co-operation. Within the complexity of military stabilisation operations, water management has been identified as a potentially suitable crisis and conflict management tool. Therefore, a comprehensive and appropriate approach to apply water throughout the entire process of transition from a conflict, post-conflict or unstable region towards stability, peace and prosperity is desirable. During the Dutch military stabilisation mission in the Afghan province of Uruzgan, water management was applied effectively by the Netherlands Army as an instrument to create stability and co-operation in the conflict and post-conflict period. Based on this experience, a Comprehensive Water Intervention Framework is presented in this paper. By integrating water management, military, development, diplomacy and co-operation approaches, this framework provides practical guidance for policymakers, mission planners and field officers. Its implementation follows after the initial military intervention and within the stabilisation operation, as a mechanism contributing to peacekeeping and development efforts. The framework can also be further improved, most notably by integrating land management and experiences gained from its implementation in civil–military exercises and from its actual application in stabilisation operations.

Test analysis of a scalable UAV conflict management framework

This study elaborates the conflict management framework of unmanned aerial vehicles, focusing on the identification of the spatiotemporal interdependencies between them, with consideration of the future scalability problems in highly dense traffic scenarios. The paper first tries to justify the applied separation criteria among small cooperative unmanned aerial vehicles based on their performance characteristics and the planned missions’ type. The adopted criteria, obtained from the simulations of 160 missions, present a testing asset, referring to a current lack of the spatiotemporal requirements and a need for extending the research in this area to provide a more rapid integration of these vehicles into the civil controlled airspace. The paper then elaborates the computational framework for the conflict detection and resolution function and operational metrics for causal identification of the spatiotemporal interdependencies between two or more cooperative vehicles. The vehicles are considered as a conflict mission system that strives to achieve an efficient solution by applying certain maneuvering measures, before a loss of separation occurs. The operational trials of five local, short-range missions, supported by the simulation scenario, demonstrate the potential for a time-based complexity analysis in the conflict resolution processes with less demanding and more efficient coordinated maneuvers. The results show that those maneuvers would not induce any new conflicts and disrupt the cooperative mission system when the spatial capacity only might not be favorable in provision of the avoidance maneuvers within an available airspace.

Examining the Conflicting Relationship between U.S. National Parks and Host Communities: Understanding a Community’s Diverging Perspectives

The growing importance of participatory and collaborative approaches in resource management has resulted in an increased emphasis on identifying the complex relationships between natural national parks and neighboring rural communities. Given the limited number of studies dealing with parks beyond rural areas, our exploratory case study examines how conflict stemming from diverse community stakeholders’ perspectives and values in regard to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park influences their involvement and attitudes toward park management. Thirty-two interviews were conducted and analyzed using a content-analysis methodology. Guided by the Progress Triangle conflict management framework, each stakeholder’s views, interests, and aspirations associated with the missions were organized according to the framework’s three dimensions: Substance, procedure, and relationship. The study findings discussed how stakeholders’ varying perspectives regarding cultural resources influenced their interactions with urban historical national parks and their attitudes toward park management. Furthermore, how stakeholders can reconcile their differences through a collaborative approach for better park management was discussed.

Reducing healthcare conflict: outcomes from using the conflict management framework.

To test a new conflict management framework (CMF) to help staff identify and de-escalate conflict between staff and patients/families. Before/after study that reports staff quality of life, frequency/severity of conflicts and qualitative interviews on using the framework. Data were collected from May 2017 to September 2017. A paediatric oncology department day-patient and 23-bed inpatient ward. A two-stage CMF used by staff during daily handovers to identify and then manage conflict cases with families. Staff found the CMFto be helpful in identifying and de-escalating conflicts. The number of conflicts reported decreased by 64% from baseline to follow-up. Communication regarding conflict identification improved. Reports of staff burn-out decreased between the two time-points (n=55 at baseline, n=31 at follow-up; p=0.001). Scores on compassion and secondary traumatic stress did not change. The CMF substantially reduces the incidence of conflicts and is an acceptable approach for staff. Continued use of the framework would require it to be fully integrated into the working of the ward, which would need to include senior medical buy-in. Further refinements to the framework have been made and will be tested in four UK sites in 2018/2019.

Analysis of ECOWAS Institutional Framework for Conflict Management

AbstractThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has evolved conflict management and security framework through which it responds to the myriads of socio-political crisis in the sub-region. This paper assesses the ECOWAS mechanisms for conflict management vis-à-vis the challenges facing the region. It begins by looking at the nature of conflict in West Africa; and then the evolution of ECOWAS conflict management framework. Using content analysis, the paper argues that ECOWAS has evolved a comprehensive conflict management and security framework and has made significant achievements in conflict management in the West African sub-region. It however, recommends peacebuilding efforts that address poverty, human rights abuses and election fraud as well as more synergy and political will to handle religious extremism in the sub-region

Social conflict management framework for project viability: Case studies from Korean megaprojects

Traditionally, conflict management in construction projects has focused on disagreement among internal stakeholders, such as employer, contractors, and subcontractors. However, as social consciousness and personal welfare demands increase, social conflicts among external stakeholders, such as local residents, local and central governments, and NGOs, have become more critical factors in enhancing project viability. In Korea, these conflicts have an impact of US $70 billion annually on social costs. To alleviate social conflicts and costs, this study aims to propose a conflict management framework based on twenty-two representative public construction projects. This study identifies and frames the various causes, impacts, and resolutions of conflicts through the case history of project viability. Through these findings, five types of conflict scenarios were derived: project termination, early mitigation, late mitigation, project enforcement, and late occurrence. Furthermore, this study suggests root causes, pathway of conflict propagation, and characteristics of each conflict scenario, which will assist project stakeholders in developing sustainable management for conflict solutions in line with each project's unique situation.