Conflict Management Research Articles

Local Cultural Approach in Navigating Family Conflict: Understanding Cultural Strategies for Human Well-Being

Objective: This study explores the complexities of family conflict within a local cultural framework, focusing on its impacts on physical and mental well-being through mapping its intensity, root causes, and long-term consequences. The study aims to understand how unresolved interpersonal tensions can negatively impact emotional and social health, ultimately affecting harmony and balance within local communities. The approach uses a theoretical framework that underscores the importance of culture-based communication, negotiation skills that respect local norms, and appreciation for diverse perspectives as steps to reduce conflict and promote mental health. This research contextualizes conflict within various local cultural settings, specifically within families influenced by communal and intergenerational values. Through in-depth analysis of the family as the unit of study, variables such as communication and social relationships are examined with an emphasis on unique socio-cultural dynamics. The findings highlight the negative impact of unresolved family conflict on emotional well-being and the stability of social relationships within the family unit. Conflict can disrupt interpersonal dynamics, creating long-term disharmony that undermines family cohesion. These adverse effects underscore the need for systematic, ongoing interventions to support mental health and collective well-being. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing family conflict as a critical component in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Good Health and Well-being. Interventions that adopt a local cultural approach—such as effective communication strategies and conflict resolution skills rooted in communal norms—are essential for fostering healthier and more harmonious family environments. By identifying three primary approaches—cultural rehabilitation processes, the development of communication that values local culture, and conflict management skills—the study provides practical insights aligned with global efforts to improve mental health and social well-being in accordance with the SDG framework.

Impacts of Industrial Disharmony on Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

The issue of disharmony in Nigerian tertiary institutions has become a significant challenge, affecting academic quality, institutional stability, and national development. This paper examines the various cases and underlying causes of disharmony within Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Through a critical review of the literature and empirical data, the paper highlights the adverse impacts of disharmony, such as reduced academic productivity, a decline in the quality of graduates, infrastructural decay, and loss of public trust in higher education. The study argues that addressing disharmony requires collaborative efforts between government, management of institutions, staff unions, and students. By promoting inclusivity, strengthening institutional autonomy, and ensuring effective conflict management mechanisms, Nigerian tertiary institutions can foster a more harmonious and productive academic environment.

Coexistence through sustainable conservation strategies for sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii in African ecosystems

Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii is an antelope species adapted to the dense swamps and marshes of Sub‐Saharan Africa, where traditional population survey techniques have been ineffective and encountered difficulties in making estimations. The species formerly occurred alongside waterways throughout the lowland forest zone of West and central Africa, extending into swamp systems in the savanna zones of central, East, and southern Africa. In most parts of Africa, the sitatunga population is declining, and attracting the attention of conservationists. Furthermore, its geographical range has been recorded to have shrunk. The present study reviewed major threats to sitatunga, assessed previous and current management approaches, and proposed new approaches to effectively manage its declining populations in Africa. To achieve the study objectives, published literature, reports, online information, expert knowledge, and personal experience were reviewed to acquire relevant information. Results indicated that sitatunga are threatened due to increased habitat loss, population isolation, political instability, water level changes, habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, and diseases. Current wildlife management approaches raise many doubts as to their effectiveness. National‐level management may unsustainably segment management actions while the protected area approach manages only part of the range of wildlife. The current tenure system in most parts of Africa discourages human–wildlife co‐existence, whereas human–wildlife conflict management approaches only treat the symptoms and not the root cause of the problems. If wildlife, including sitatunga, are to persist in Africa, management approaches should be changed and include re‐focusing of the management context at the ecosystems and landscape level; assessing the genetic diversity of sitatunga; promoting better wetland management, including the aspect of human dimension in management; using non‐invasive techniques to genetically estimate the minimum population size; assessing inbreeding; and enhancing the implementation strategy of wildlife policy in African countries. Changing the attitude of the local community may take time, but it is a pivotal point if humans and wildlife are to coexist.

U.S. livestock producer interest in alternatives to compensation programs for wolf depredation

ABSTRACT Interest in financial compensation programs for wolf-livestock conflict in the United States is growing, yet we know little about livestock producer perceptions concerning existing programs or potential alternatives. We surveyed producers to ask about challenges they perceive in applying for compensation and/or concerns about program rules and procedures. We then looked at whether they would choose alternatives like cost sharing for conflict management and habitat leasing rather than compensation. We found mixed levels of satisfaction with existing compensation, with about 75% of respondents believing that indirect losses caused from predator-induced stress are as, or more, financially damaging than when wolves kill livestock (depredation). Commonly selected perceptions included dissatisfaction with the depredation reporting and confirmation processes, inadequate compensation, and a lack of trust and satisfaction surrounding depredation confirmations. We found compensation was preferred to cost sharing and habitat leases.

The role of discretion and street‐level deliberative practices in the COVID‐19 crisis response: Lessons from the Philippines

AbstractThis study investigates the role of frontline workers, such as the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) in the Philippines, as street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs) in implementing COVID‐19 community quarantine policies. Drawing from SLB theory and deliberative policy analysis (DPA), I explore how SLBs adapted to rapidly changing conditions by exercising discretion in interpreting and adapting the implementation of nationally formulated pandemic management policies to meet local realities. I argue that SLBs functioned as deliberative practitioners, mediating between national policies and local realities while engaging in deliberative practices with their clients. Using the experience of BHERTs in Palompon, Leyte in the Philippines as an illustrative case, I identified the policy mandates (policy‐as‐written) of the BHERTs; the challenges and constraints they faced in implementing community quarantine policies; and the discretion they exercised in implementing community quarantine policies (policy‐as‐practiced). The findings reveal that, to meet their policy mandates and address the challenges they faced, they engaged in deliberative practices and collaborated with citizens in implementing context‐specific and creative strategies. Insights from this study highlight the adaptive and deliberative potential of SLBs in crisis situations and the value of a DPA in understanding SLB theory and research. By examining SLBs’ experiences during the pandemic, this study contributes to the SLB literature and offers practical lessons to policy practitioners in facilitating deliberation and developing context‐specific solutions in times of crisis.Points for practitioners The COVID‐19 pandemic and the subsequent government response in the Philippines have increased the challenges faced by street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs), including resource scarcity, organisational and political pressure, public resistance, and the risk of exposure to the virus. SLBs have shown their capacity to apply discretion and collaborate with their clients to resolve their own and the client's challenges and limitations through negotiation, mediation, conflict management, and active listening. This cooperative approach empowers them to resolve common issues and together formulate effective strategies that are beneficial to all parties involved. Relationships outside of SLBs’ duties as state agents (i.e. socio‐cultural relationships) can be a viable pathway for SLBs to implement alternative policy strategies to meet their policy mandates and address the challenges they face as they implement their mandates. Competing value systems, knowledge claims, and emotional narratives, compounded by a governance crisis, define the complex and informal nature of the policy process in the context of a crisis like the pandemic. Although SLBs demonstrate their capacity to creatively solve the challenges they encounter through deliberative practices, this should not serve as a justification for the government's lack of action in prioritising, safeguarding, and preserving their welfare.

Impact of leadership skills on the success of large and medium construction projects management in Yemen

Large and medium construction projects in Yemen often face budget and timeline overruns. While technical aspects are heavily focused on, the importance of leadership skills in project teams is often overlooked. This study aims to identify the impact of leadership skills on the success of these projects. A questionnaire was distributed to engineers working in both governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations, with projects costing above $100,000. Out of the 385 questionnaires distributed, 340 responses were collected, and 246 valid responses were used for analysis. The findings indicate a strong correlation between leadership skills and project success, highlighting the significant role of effective leadership in guiding construction projects. Specific skills such as team management, problem-solving, prioritization, planning, decision making, conflict management, communication, and fostering team spirit are crucial in Yemen’s construction sector. Recommendations include the development of leadership skills programs, emphasis on collaborative team management, integration of experiential learning in education, continuous professional development, and research initiatives. These insights aim to enhance the resilience and success of construction projects in Yemen and provide valuable guidance to project managers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the sector.

He Said, She Said: a Dyadic Perspective on Adolescent Conflict Management and Dating Violence.

Physical dating violence is a widespread problem in adolescence, which often occurs during conflict escalation. Given that individual reports may be subject to many biases, including data from both partners is essential to yield a more accurate portrait of adolescent dating relationships. This study sought to examine within-dyad agreement rates as well as dyadic associations between both partners' conflict behaviors and physical dating violence using actor-partner interdependence modeling. The sample consisted of 126 different-sex adolescent couples (n = 252, girls: Mage = 17.34, SD = 1.39, boys: Mage = 17.98, SD = 1.65). Each partner independently completed an online questionnaire. The results revealed that boys and girls mostly disagree about what is going on within their relationship, and that the use of destructive conflict behaviors equally contributed to both partner's physical dating violence perpetration and victimization. Increasing youth's awareness of their own and their partner's behaviors during conflict is key in preventing conflict escalation, and ultimately reducing the incidence of physical dating violence.

Collaborative conservation for snow leopards: Lessons learned from successful community‐based interventions

AbstractCollaborative conservation interventions based on engagement with local communities are increasingly common, especially for large carnivores that negatively impact people's livelihoods and well‐being. However, evaluating the effectiveness of large‐scale community‐based conservation interventions is rarely done, making it problematic to assess or justify their impact. In our study focused on snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in five countries, we show that bespoke and well‐implemented community‐based and conflict management intervention efforts can lead to more sustainable conservation outcomes. Collaborative interventions, spread over about 88,000 km2 of snow leopard habitat, reduced livestock depredation and disease and associated economic costs. Additionally, they generated conservation‐linked livelihoods and enhanced community decision‐making, leading to more positive behavioral intent toward snow leopards and improved communities’ cooperation, economic security, and confidence. Our results provide lessons learned and recommendations for practitioners and governments to alleviate conflicts and foster coexistence with snow leopards and large carnivores more broadly. These include prioritizing locally led tailored solutions based on the PARTNERS principles, recognizing local community rights in conservation decision‐making, and recognizing the role of social norms in ensuring accountability.

The opportunities and challenges of utilising collaborative action research for coaching within Hong Kong China rugby sevens

ABSTRACT Background Despite Rugby sevens being an Olympic sport there is a paucity of research on how to coach it. For an emerging sevens nation like Hong Kong, where participant numbers are limited, the quality of coaching is a key area to focus upon to enhance performance. Methods Over a 12-week period, the aim of this study was to utilise collaborative action research (CAR) with four professional coaches (including myself) within a professional rugby sevens environment to develop coaching practice. The data generated over four action research cycles included focus groups, observations, and reflective diaries. Findings Through CAR the coaches in this study became more conscious of their delivery during practice, namely their individual and collective feedback, being more deliberate in the planning of and reflecting upon their practice, and more aware of how to collaborate effectively. The key challenges encountered by the coaches were finding appropriate moments to intervene in practice to deliver feedback, a lack of role clarity whilst coaching as a group, and perceived power relations between coaches. Difficulties of my dual role of coach and researcher included the balance of having empathy for the stresses of professional coaching whilst striving to provide rich accounts for research. These challenges posed issues surrounding conflict management and power relations amongst the group of coaches. Conclusion Despite the inevitable challenges of working within a social group, the practical implications from this study suggest CAR can provide coaches with a voice and reposition them as co-creators of actionable knowledge. This study presents some of the realistic challenges and opportunities that adopting a CAR approach can provide to coaches who want to collaboratively improve the quality of their practice.

Assessing the Impact of Leadership Styles on Organizational Effectiveness in Chinese Vocational Schools

This research examines the impact of leadership styles on the organizational efficacy of vocational institutions in China. The main aim is to evaluate the effects of several leadership dimensions—communication, decision-making, motivation, empowerment, conflict management, relationship building, and ethical behavior—on these schools' overall operation and performance. Utilizing a descriptive-comparative and regression analytic methodology, data was gathered from instructors and students at five vocational schools in Guangdong Province via structured questionnaires. The research examined the opinions of leadership effectiveness among instructors and students, finding notable disparities between the two groups, with teachers consistently providing more favorable leadership evaluations. The regression study further substantiated that leadership styles substantially influence critical aspects of organizational success, including strategy planning, resource management, employee engagement, performance management, and student orientation.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Managing Workplace Conflict Management in Nigerian Universities

This study assesses the effectiveness of managing workplace conflicts in Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach and survey design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. The main objective of the study is to assess the effect of collective bargaining on workplace conflict management in Nigeria Universities, focusing on Kogi State University Anyigba The population considered for this study is the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members, the Non-academic staff union (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) from the Kogi State University Anyigba. Summing them up therefore the total number of these individuals is 4013. Hence 4013 constituted the total population of this study. This study employed the “Modern Management Theory," theory propounded by Mary Parker Follet who believed that management was "the art of getting things done through people. The result of hypothesis one shows that the p-value is 0.000 at 5% significance level; this means that the Null Hypothesis is rejected and the study concludes that Collective bargaining has a significant effect on conflict management in Kogi State University Anyigba. The result of hypothesis two shows that the p-value is 0.000 at 5% significance level this means that the Null Hypothesis is accepted and the study concludes that the collective bargaining strategy is not effective in workplace conflict management at Kogi State University Anyigba. The study recommends that the University should re-evaluate its current collective bargaining strategies to ensure they are more effective in managing workplace conflicts. This might include involving more diverse stakeholder groups in the bargaining process to improve effectiveness. The University should implement conflict resolution training programs for both academic and non-academic staff to enhance their capacity to engage in constructive bargaining and negotiations.

Leadership and Conflict Management: Strategies for Managing Conflict in Higher Education Institutions

This study analyzes conflict management strategies through adaptive leadership models to improve educational institutional performance. This study uses a qualitative case study approach. Data collection was carried out through interviews, observations, and documentation. Data analysis used a thematic analysis approach, coding and identifying main themes related to leadership strategies and conflict management. The study results indicate that transparent and open leadership, developing clear conflict policies, creating a collaborative culture, and utilizing a proactive approach are the main strategies that can reduce the frequency and impact of conflict. These findings emphasize the importance of adapting leadership strategies based on local contexts and organizational culture to improve the effectiveness of conflict management. The implications of this study include providing new insights for leaders of higher education institutions to develop more relevant and contextual conflict management policies and practices. This study also suggests the need for further research to expand the scope of research by considering variations in gender, age, and wider survey methods to obtain a more comprehensive picture. Thus, the results of this study can contribute to developing more effective conflict management policies in higher education environments.

The influence of different conflict management styles on depressive symptoms in employees: the mediating role of emotional exhaustion.

Although some studies have found that conflict management styles impact employees' levels of depression, the expressions of employees' depressive symptoms under various conflict management styles and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, a total of 1,312 employees were gathered through an online survey to examine their current depressive status. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the association between conflict management style and employee depression was further explored. The findings revealed that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression among the workers was 13.9%. Employees with different conflict management styles displayed distinct depression scores. The high coordination style group exhibited a significantly lower depression score compared to the high concession style group. Emotional exhaustion played a mediating role in the impact of both the coordination style and the concession style on employees' depression. It can be seen that the mental health needs of the workplace are imminent. The intervention measures to improve the mental health of employees in the working environment should take into account the cultivation of the coordination style of employee conflict management, reduce their emotional exhaustion, and stay away from depression through the acquisition of constructive and positive coping styles.

Deadlocked International Institutions: Implications for Negotiated Conflict Management

Abstract This article argues that the international institutions in which negotiations have often taken place have been challenged by increased conflict among member states in the early 21st century. Multilateral international institutions function best when common interests are viewed as paramount by the state parties, because they allow the state parties to negotiate structures and processes that serve their shared interests and values. The paper analyzes the difficulties in managing international conflicts in the UN, osce, nato, and EU since 2000 due in part to the inability to achieve consensus within fractured and stalemated institutions. These problems have increasingly limited the role of these institutions in managing some of the most dangerous global conflicts, including on arms control and disarmament and managing the Russian war in Ukraine.

Psychoeducation as burnout prevention for Hungarian teachers

The aim of this study is to examine the role of psychoeducation in preventing burnout among Hungarian teachers. Psychoeducation is a structured method of delivering professional information, combining elements of education, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and grouptherapy, with the goal of developing coping strategies to maintain health and ensure therapeutic collaboration. As part of the research, a 30-hour training program was developed and implemented with two groups, consisting of kindergarten and special education teachers (N=35). The core components of the training included self-awareness exercises, autogenic training techniques, and conflict management strategies. Changes in participants' burnout levels, psychological immune systems, coping methods, and perceived social support were assessed using pre- and post-training questionnaires (Maslach Burnout Inventory Educator Survey (MBI-ES), Oláh’s Psychological Immune System Survey, Coping Methods Questionnaire, MOS SSS-H Social Support Questionnaire, and Mental Health Test). A significant reduction in burnout was observed. The findings support previous research indicating that psychoeducation can effectively reduce stress and burnout, though its effectiveness may depend on various factors, such as the length and intensity of the program, as well as participants' motivation and commitment. Future research should involve larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to assess the long-term benefits of psychoeducational interventions more accurately for teacher burnout.

Promoters as social controls to facilitate knowledge sharing, conflict management and innovation project portfolio performance

Organizational control theory emphasizes aligning members' actions with organizational goals through formal and social controls. In innovation management, formal controls like project management or stage‐gate processes are limited to measurable and standardized areas. For situations that are complex, unpredictable and highly idiosyncratic, social controls need to be applied for alignment. Knowledge sharing and competitive conflicts are two such innovation‐related phenomena that elude formal control and instead need social controls for alignment. In this research, we propose that promoters—individuals who actively support innovation—serve as social control agents. While previous research has shown the positive effect of single promoters on individual innovation project success, we propose a comprehensive implementation of all four promoter roles, and we test their joint effect on the intermediate outcomes of knowledge sharing and competitive conflict management facilitating innovation project portfolio performance. Drawing on cross‐industry data of 125 firms collected from 986 employees, this article provides empirical evidence that comprehensive implementation of all four promoter roles enhances knowledge sharing and reduces competitive conflicts, thereby improving innovation project portfolio performance. The research reframes promoters as social control agents, emphasizing their collective necessity for managing complex organizational issues and contributing to overall project success.

Sudan: Understanding the Dynamics of Terrorism and Conflict Management. A Multifaceted Approach

The research proposal aims to comprehensively examine terrorism and conflict manage ment dynamics in Sudan. It seeks to understand terrorism’s root causes, its interplay with conflict dynamics, and the effectiveness of current management strategies. Employing historical analysis, socio-political inquiry, and economic assessment, the study will explore Sudan’s historical context, identifying key turning points and socio-political dimensions such as governance challenges and identity politics. Additionally, the research will scrutinize terrorism’s economic underpinnings, in cluding illicit economies and external financing. It will evaluate terrorism’s impact on peacebuilding efforts, offering insights into effective conflict management strategies. Expected outcomes include a nuanced understanding of terrorism’s dynamics, actionable recommendations for policymakers, and contributions to peacebuilding efforts. By shedding light on these complexities, the study aims to aid in mitigating terrorism and fostering sustainable peace not only in Sudan but also globally. Keywords: Terrorism, conflict management, Sudan, Africa, dynamics, multifaceted approach, gov ernance, identity politics.

European Society of Intensive Care Medicine guidelines on end of life and palliative care in the intensive care unit.

The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) has developed evidence-based recommendations and expert opinions about end-of-life (EoL) and palliative care for critically ill adults to optimize patient-centered care, improving outcomes of relatives, and supporting intensive care unit (ICU) staff in delivering compassionate and effective EoL and palliative care. An international multi-disciplinary panel of clinical experts, a methodologist, and representatives of patients and families examined key domains, including variability across countries, decision-making, palliative-care integration, communication, family-centered care, and conflict management. Eight evidence-based recommendations (6 of low level of evidence and 2 of high level of evidence) and 19 expert opinions were presented. EoL legislation and the importance of respecting the autonomy and preferences of patients were given close attention. Differences in EoL care depending on country income and healthcare provision were considered. Structured EoL decision-making strategies are recommended to improve outcomes of patients and relatives, as well as staff satisfaction and mental health. Early integration of palliative care and the use of standardized tools for symptom assessment are suggested for patients at high risk of dying. Communication training for ICU staff and printed communication aids for families are advocated to improve outcomes and satisfaction. Methods for enhancing family-centeredness of care include structured family conferences and culturally sensitive interventions. Conflict-management protocols and strategies to prevent burnout among healthcare professionals are also considered. The work done to develop these guidelines highlights many areas requiring further research.

FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: HOW EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT MARKETING TACTICS DRIVE BRAND INNOVATION AND REPOSITIONING

This paper explores the integration of emotionally intelligent marketing tactics to drive brand innovation and repositioning during crises. The role of emotional intelligence (EI) in leadership is pivotal, especially in managing crises, enhancing communication, and inspiring organizational resilience. Using case studies, the research highlights how emotionally intelligent leaders, such as Howard Schultz and Jacinda Ardern, responded to crises with empathy and decisive action, fostering trust and innovation. The study also examines how EI impacts decision-making, conflict management, and employee morale while promoting flexibility, creativity, and transparency. Furthermore, the analysis underscores the influence of emotional intelligence in transforming leadership styles, boosting team cohesion, and creating long-term resilience. Despite the benefits, the research acknowledges the potential limitations of over-reliance on EI, emphasizing that effective leadership also requires a balance of technical skills and swift decision-making in crisis scenarios. This paper offers valuable insights into the intersection of crisis leadership and emotional intelligence, ultimately providing strategies for fostering an emotionally intelligent organizational culture.

Effect of Social Identity on Megaproject Managers’ Conflict Management Styles

Effect of Social Identity on Megaproject Managers’ Conflict Management Styles