Major Cause Of Conflict Research Articles

The Relationship between Trade in Southern Mozambique and State Formation: Reassessing Hedges on Cattle, Ivory and Brass

For the past 37 years, David Hedges’ cattle trade theory has dominated the historical analysis of state formation in southern Africa during the 19th century. This theory centres on a cattle trade that came to replace the ivory trade from the late 18th century onwards, and was based on the demand for fresh meat by whalers. In the view of Hedges, the increased cattle trade placed considerable pressure on societies to replenish herds, given the socially and politically important role that cattle played in southern African societies. And since this change coincided with a severe and prolonged drought, it necessitated the restocking of cattle herds through the systematised military raiding of cattle, which, in turn, required a centralised government. In reviewing the evidence for shifts in the patterns of trade at this time, during which whalers called at Delagoa Bay to hunt, discrepancies in Hedges’ analysis came to light.The Portuguese ivory trade at Delagoa Bay started in 1545, when a sporadic trade based on the monsoon seasons laid the foundation for the export of ivory that would boom in the latter half of the 18th century. This trade has been a key element in the dominant explanations offered for accelerated processes of political centralisation in northern Kwazulu-Natal, which culminated in the rise of the Zulu kingdom. David Hedges developed the most influential and enduring of these arguments in his doctoral dissertation in 1978. He argued that it was a sharp contraction of the ivory trade in the last two decades of the 19th century that was a major cause of conflict and state formation. This article reviews the evidence and arguments presented by Hedges and suggests that while his work has provided an important contribution to the debate, elements of his argument need substantial revision.

Property Rights and Sustainable Natural Resource Management

<p class="emsd"><span lang="EN-GB">This paper reviews recent research articles in the field of property rights and natural resources management, with the goal of identifying the most effective policy measures to achieve sustainable resource management through well designed property rights. Scarcity of economic resources is a major cause of conflict in human society. Institutions impact the resilience of the environment, and the institutions which guide humans as they employ resources from the environment are therefore essential to sustainable resource management. Institutions which create and enforce property rights can control resource degradation and improve both economic and ecological efficiency. Property rights which lead to an equitable allocation of natural resources and delegation of management authority among stakeholders is the most likely pathway to sustainable ecosystem management. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the best system of property rights to achieve sustainability. The ‘best system’ is contextual and spatiotemporal dynamic. </span></p>

An Investigation into the Causes of Conflict in Zimbabwean Schools: A Case Study of Nkayi South Circuit

The present study sought to investigate the causes of conflict in selected Zimbabwean schools with particular reference to Nkayi South Circuit. This article draws on a qualitative inquiry of factors contributing towards various conflict situations in schools using a sample of 30 teachers and heads of schools from Matabeleland North in Zimbabwe selected by means of purposeful sampling. The research adopted a qualitative methodology using a case study design. Data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews using an interview guide. Views of the respondents were audio-taped, transcribed and became the primary data for analysis. The findings indicated that most respondents felt that conflict affected the productivity of the members of the organization. Participants indicated that lack of communication; interpersonal relationships within the schools as well as procedural issues were the major causes of conflict. The study concluded that Conflict amongst educators in Zimbabwean schools is endemic. It went on to conclude that the major causes of conflict in schools include the following: competition for resources, gossiping or spreading malicious rumors about a work mate, poor communication, and incompetence in the work place, alcohol abuse, favoritism, power struggles, and lack of compensation for work done. The study recommends that school should have agreed mechanisms in place for groups of people who may be antagonistic to collectively discuss and resolve issues. Key words: School, conflict, circuit, disputes, conflict management

Resource Use Conflict between Farmers and Fulani Herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

The paper assessed the conflict between herdsmen and farmers in Guma local government area of Benue State. A total of 160 heads of farming households and 48 herdsmen from areas that have experienced framer-herders conflict were purposively selected. Data for the study was collected using questionnaire, field observation and reports from Benue State Agricultural and rural development authority. The data collected comprised of socio-economic characteristics of farmers and herdsmen, causes and effects of the conflict. The study revealed that, both farmers (AI=1.93) and Herdsmen (AI=1.55) agreed that herdsmen were not accepted by their host communities. The role of traditional rulers (CCI=3.68), destruction of crops/farmland (CCI=3.21), contamination of water (CCI=3.45) and harassment of herdsmen by host communities (CCI=3.25) were the major causes of conflict between farmers and herdsmen. Displacement of both farmers and herdsmen (CEI=3.67), loss of lives and properties (CEI=3.49) and decrease in output (CEI=3.48) were the major effects of conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in the area. Yogbo town is the most affected in the area with estimated cost of property destroyed of ₦43.8 million, 30 people killed and 32 people injured. The paper concluded that, the conflict is a setback to the development of agricultural sector and therefore recommend the creation of grazing reserves so that herders can shift from traditional method of animal husbandry to modern methods.

Conflicts over farmland and its socioeconomic effects on rural residents of Southwestern Nigeria

Land is increasingly becoming a source of conflicts in Nigeria and Africa at large where land access had traditionally been characterised as relatively unrestricted. This paper examined conflicts over farmland and its socio economic effects on the rural residents of southwestern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents for the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that the major causes of conflict over farmland in the area were failure to respect boundary 1.66), contesting for the inheritance of land boundary 1.65) and abandonment of the previously accepted rules of access to and use of land 1.09). Farmland conflicts terminates the social interaction and peaceful co-existence of people 1.65), causing mistrust among members 1.61), destruction of goods and property 1.57) and loss of life 1.55). It was concluded based on the findings that conflict over farmland had negative effects on the socio-economic activities of the rural residents. Consequently, the study recommends that individual and community farm boundaries must be respected.There must be an effective system of land administration of management to reduce frequent challenges of land ownership. Inheritors should be loyal to the agreement made with their progenitors on the use of land and public education/enlightenment programmes must be strengthening to reduce the adverse effect of conflicts over farmland.

Conflict Resolution and Management between Local Fishers and Tour Operators in the Okavango Delta’s Panhandle, Botswana

Conflicts among different fisher groups are a global concern, and the Okavango Delta fishery is no exception, which is composed of commercial, subsistence and recreational fishers. Possibly due to conflicting value/use systems, and ill-defined user rights, there have been documented cases of conflict between commercial and recreational fishers, which may affect livelihoods for local fishers. Therefore, this study’s aim was to identify causes of conflict between these groups and to propose management inventions. Primary data collected in three fishing villages showed that lack of access, misconceptions about each other, and overlapping use were identified as some of the major causes of conflict. Subsequently, this paper proposes a spatial and temporal zoning of fishing grounds as a management tool towards conflict resolution. One proposal is that recreational fishers can utilize the main channel, commercial fishers the floodplains and lagoons, while basket fishers can utilize the fringes of floodplains, lagoons and river channel. Moreover, a co-management regime has also been developed in the fishery, upon which a code of conduct was developed to also reduce conflict in the fishery. It is envisaged that this approach will reduce conflict and create an enabling environment for efficient and sustainable fish utilization in the Delta.

A survey of livestock losses caused by Asiatic wild dogs, leopards and tigers, and of the impact of predation on the livelihood of farmers in Bhutan

Context Human–wildlife conflict is a serious impediment to conservation efforts worldwide. This is also true for Bhutan, where dholes or wild dogs (Cuon alpinus), leopards and tigers constitute a menace to the livestock of farmers. Livestock losses as a result depredation by wild animals is a major cause of conflict with farmers, threatening their livelihoods, and causing a negative attitude that can lead to retaliatory killing of wildlife. Aims To survey farmers and document their livestock losses, as well as estimate the value of livestock losses and the causes of predation. Methods We conducted a questionnaire survey of 147 farming households in three zones of the Toebesa subdistrict of Punakha, Bhutan. Respondents provided information on their farming activities and household income, as well as on predation losses of cattle, goats, pigs, chickens, cats and dogs caused by dholes, tigers and leopards between 2006 and 2010. Additional data on livestock populations and losses were obtained from the Renewable Natural Resources Census at the subdistrict. Key Results The results showed that dholes kill more livestock than do common leopards and tigers, the two other known livestock predators in the study area. The annual average number of livestock killed by dholes was 0.19 per household, which is ~2% of the total household income and ~11% of income derived from livestock. Annual income from livestock contributes 21% to the total annual revenues of farmers in the study area. The practice of allowing cattle to freely range, unguarded, in the forest was identified as the primary factor causing high livestock losses to dholes. Conclusions Dholes are the principal predator in the study area and have a significant negative impact on farmers’ livelihoods through loss of income. Our findings that livestock depredation by dholes was significantly less inside the villages and on farmed plots than in the forests showed that the problem can be addressed by improved husbandry practices. Implications To reduce livestock depredation by dholes, incentives or strategies should be investigated for encouraging farmers to let their livestock graze inside and around villages, which includes stall feeding and tethering, and to cooperatively shepherd them in the forests during the day.

Changing Land Reforms and Conflict Over Land in Sub-Saharan Africa

Among other issues, right to property and settlement have been the major causes of conflicts in Africa, especially with regard to land and land resources, which is perceived as a common holding that binds generations past, present and future together. Unfortunately, this notion about land is either rarely or not considered in the process of land reforms. There have been series of redefinition of right to land in various countries of the continent, to the extent that there are confusions regarding what the standards are, culminating in pressures and contestations over land between and betwixt groups. This paper presents the African conceptualization of land and importance of land to the people, the philosophy underpinning land reforms by African leaders, and how the implementation of these reforms generate conflicts.

Conflict and Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Review of Related Literature

Remarkably little research has been conducted on the potential of conflict resolution, a challenge to development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Underpinned by participatory development and conflict resolution theories, the paper conceptualises conflict resolution as a collective effort by Congolese to resolve their conflict in a peaceful manner to achieve better quality of life for the country, through making it a better place for development activities. A contribution is made by the article in the provision of a comprehensive historical account of the events, personalities and environment that formed the policy for conflict that is affecting development goals in the DRC. This historical account is analysed through institutional frameworks to explain the antecedents that have resulted in conflict resolution policy outcomes, which presently exist in the country. The reason for considering conflict and development is that the development impasse of Africa generally, and the DRC in particular, can be attributed to the internal and external conflict since its independence. While development theory, and discourse from modernisation theory to global neo-liberalism, have dominated development strategies on the continent and the DRC, and produced a bereft of development, conflict has systematically undermined the development.This article seeks to identify and discuss the major cause of conflict that challenges the implementation of conflict resolution, which is affecting political and socio-economic development in the DRC. The research shows that discrimination is the main cause of conflict in the country. The article explores the period of economic growth in the DRC, as well as its economic decline, as brought about by conflict. Certain reasons for this economic decline are suggested, of which the most important are the economic policies of Zairianisation and radicalisation, which have introduced discrimination within the country. The results show that development can occur in the DRC if only an atmosphere of peace, justice, security and stability is attainable for the country. The outcome of conflict resolutions, or all agreements signed in Lusaka (Zambia) and Sun City (South Africa), in 1999 and 2002 respectively, showed that not all the parties involved in the conflict were at the signing of the agreement. The result of this is that conflict continues unhindered in the DRC and, in turn, affects the development goals of the country. The findings indicate that there were a number of challenges facing the implementation of conflict resolution. Key to these are weak institutions, lack of confidence in each member of the government, sustainability problems, poor intergovernmental relations, land ownership, bad governance, high levels of poverty and inequality. The article makes some recommendations to the government and concludes that political and socio-economic discrimination should be avoided in order for development to occur. Only an environment of peace, security, justice, equality and unity will allow the promotion of development goals in the DRC, and conflict resolution should be implemented, in a peaceful way, for DRC to be a better place for development. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n3p491

Religious pluralism: Religious wars and religious tolerance

One of the permanent paradoxes of human history is that during several thousand years religious pluralism was one of the major causes of conflicts and wars and a challenge for eventual religious tolerance, which seemed to be just a well-wishing attempt (that could not be permanently established, so far). Thus, one can follow two lines - the history of religious conflicts and wars, and the history of (religious) tolerance (or standpoints which advocate tolerance, in particular religious tolerance). Although one can find examples of ideas of tolerance in various times and cultures, one can also find religious conflicts and wars repeating in various times and cultures, from very ancient times, to present day.

Organization Politics and the Role of Accounting

1. Introduction Max Weber (1968) was first to introduce issue of division of work and link it to related issue of power. Organisational divisions may have different tasks, but they are usually interdependent. Staff from various departments participate in a decision-making process. Each sub-group has its own goals and personal needs of its members, as well as objectives set by formal structure. The existence of varying sub-goals, and absence of clear and agreed aspirations about future due to uncertainty in making decisions, are major causes of conflict during decision process (Allison 1969; Ntanos 2009). During process, sub-groups express their interests by making demands on organisational scarce resources, and advancing these demands in bargaining arena. A demand is feasible only when sufficient power is mobilised in support of that demand. By holding resources, individual causes a dependency situation that secures his/her position and increases his/her power basis, especially in conditions of organisational change. Pettigrew (1973) argues that control of organisational resources increases holders' power base and ability to influence decisions and allows partial goals to be served. Within an organisation individual is not only governed by organisational structure, but also attempts to shape structure over time to suit his/her own interests and needs. The ability to influence organisational structure is a function of power generated by individual in order to impose on others his/her will. Power is not a matter of authority or status, but rather has to do with control of resources and information, and skilful use of them. Therefore, Power is not only seen as operating vertically in hierarchy, but power relations also may exist among 'equal' standing individuals or sub-units (Pfeffer 1981). Power, though affecting broad areas of organisational domain, was neglected as a subject of study for a long period of time for various reasons (Pfeffer 1981). First, it is a concept that has attracted various interpretations in social science literature, and so could be characterised as problematic. As a way of understanding organisational decision-making, it is not unique. Other perspectives exist that attract researchers because they do not confront notion of rationality and existence of commonly accepted organisational goals seeking efficiency. Finally, admitting existence of power relations and of sectional interests, may undermine notion of cohesion in an organisation. This paper aims to raise neglected role of power politics in organisational decision-making. Apart from purely rational perspective and bounded-rational perspective, there is a notion of rationality in political perspective of decision-making (Jones 1992). Rationality here refers to way in which each interest group conceives their surrounding context, faces uncertainty and responds to a perceived problem (Dermer & Lucas 1986). Within political perspective, rationality has not a neutral but an ideological intense meaning, since there are many views of what rational behaviour is, based on various interpretations of reality. We aim to depict that accounting information is used politically in order to forward a certain interpretation of reality as truth, usually most powerful interpretation. The role of accounting may therefore lie not on making rational decisions, but in helping politically made choices to be accepted. This does not imply that these decisions are irrational; on contrary, behind politically made decisions lies rational action from an interest group that is purposefully pursuing solution best suited to its own aims. 2. The Definition of Power Pfeffer referred to power as the capability of one social actor to overcome resistance in achieving a desired objective or result (1981, p. …

Conflict management and job satisfaction in paediatric hospitals in Greece

To assess the major causes of conflict and to identify choices of strategy in handling conflicts. Conflict is inherent to hospitals as in all complex organizations, and health personnel deal with internal and external conflicts daily. The sample consisted of 286 participants. A five-part questionnaire, specific for conflicts in hospitals, was administered to health personnel. Of the participants 37% were physicians and 63% were nurses and nursing assistants. As far as choice of strategy in conflict management is concerned, avoidance was found to be the most frequent mode chosen while accommodation was the least frequent mode. Organizational problems were the main issue creating conflicts since 52% of nurses and 45% of physicians agreed that receiving direction from more than one manager may lead to conflicts (P=0.02). Educational differences and communication gaps were reported as another cause of conflicts, with nurses supporting this statement more than the other groups (P=0.006). To become effective in conflict management nurses and physicians must understand causes and strategies in handling conflicts. Major changes are needed regarding human resource management, work incentives and dynamics of teamwork in order to improve working conditions in Greek public hospitals.

정보시스템 아웃소싱 개발에 따른 갈등 영향 요인

This study aims to investigate the major causes of conflict between clients and vendors in the outsourced IS development. A research model is established based on the prior research of IS outsourcing, system development and conflict. An empirical study was executed using 214 survey questionnaire of project teams composed of client and vendor with PASW 18.0. Research results using multiple regressions show that contract specificity, requirements certainty, objective alignment and client knowledge have negative effects on conflict. This research results will provide various implications for outsourcing project success.

The anatomy and management of staff conflicts in a Nigerian university library

To achieve peace, harmony and stability in libraries, there is need to deal with internal strife ‐ both real and imagined. Brings out conflict from its closet in a Nigerian University Library. Examines the sources of internal conflict among staff, rather that the external environment. Addresses the issue from the destructive aspects of undesirably high levels of conflict in a university library. Results of the study revealed a bureaucratic structure, poor communication and organizational policies, and inadequate material resources as the major causes of conflict in the library. The close interdependency between units in the library has also been identified as a source of friction among staff. Provides evidence for the effectiveness of managing conflict through prevention, by means of improved communication and argues for a pro‐active approach to handling conflict.

Settlement and Conflict in Corsica

The evolution of settlement in Corsica is reviewed in relation to three categories of conflict, geopolitical, economic and developmental, each coinciding with specific forms of domination. External domination has been exacerbated by internal divisions, which also have influenced settlement patterns. THE growing tide of political and social unrest which has marked Corsica during the last decade is but the latest episode in a pattern of conflict which extends back to the dawn of history. Significantly, the present disturbances have been evoked by the struggle to gain freedom from what is perceived as excessive external domination of the island's life. Significantly too, this struggle has been characterized by internal dissension between the Union du Peuple Corse, a party which favours an autonomous status within the French Republic, and the Front de Liberation Corse, which seeks a 'national' independence. Both these parties denounce a further internal element, the 'clan chiefs', who constitute the prevailing power structure of ruling and influential families in local and island politics and economic organization. For good measure, the Bona- partist party rejects all notions of autonomy and remains devoted to integration within France. These two themes, external domination and internal division, have been the major causes of conflict throughout the island's troubled history and have exerted a powerful influence on the development of settlement. This paper attempts a survey of the effects of conflict on settlement location and development and in particular proposes a three-fold chronological classification of conflict types with related specific effects on settlement. Before embarking on this classification it is necessary to summarize physical conditions on the island from the standpoint of man's occupancy and use of resources.

Stability of English and French Foreign Policy

The disintegration of the British and the French empires is the major cause of conflict of our time. As the remaining hopes for the preserva tion of empire wane, both Englishmen and Frenchmen are driven to contemplate the only alternative—federation—by which their problem can be resolved. France has already renounced a sizable portion of her sovereignty to supra national control agencies; so have the Germans. It took Suez to shock Britain into a genuine European response. In the last analysis, a closer Atlantic Union is needed to return Europe as a whole to a great center of political and economic power.—Ed.