SOURCES AND RESOLUTION STRATEGIES OF ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN THE SERBIAN CONTEXT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58898/ijmt.v4i1.69-78Keywords:
organizational conflict, conflict resolution, horizontal conflict, conflict perception, Serbia, empirical researchAbstract
This paper investigates the nature, frequency, sources, and resolution strategies of organizational conflicts in Serbia's private and public sectors. Using a structured questionnaire and a sample of 128 respondents, the study applies descriptive statistics to analyze perceptions about conflict types, causes, and resolution mechanisms. Findings indicate a predominance of horizontal conflicts and traditional perceptions of conflict as negative phenomena. Most respondents recognize the significance of joint problem-solving and overarching goals as effective resolution strategies. Personal distrust and task interdependence are identified as major sources of conflict. The study recommends institutionalized conflict management training and fostering constructive organizational climates.
Downloads
References
Petković, M., Janićijević, N., & Bogićević Milikić, B. (2006). Organizaciono ponašanje. Ekonomski fakultet.
Blake, R. R., & Mouton, J. S. (1984). The managerial grid III: The key to leadership excellence. Gulf Publishing.
Robbins, S. P. (2005). Organizational Behavior (11th ed.). Pearson Education.
Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. Wiley.
De Dreu, C. K. W., & Weingart, L. R. (2003). Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(4), 741–749. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.4.741
Greenberg, J. (1987). A taxonomy of organizational justice theories. Academy of Management Review, 12(1), 9–22. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1987.4306437
Jehn, K. A., & Mannix, E. A. (2001). The dynamic nature of conflict: A longitudinal study of intragroup conflict and group performance. Academy of Management Journal, 44(2), 238–251. https://doi.org/10.5465/3069453
Pelled, L. H. (1996). Relational demography and perceptions of group conflict and performance: A field study. International Journal of Conflict Management, 7(3), 230–246. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb022783
Pruitt, D. G., & Rubin, J. Z. (1986). Social conflict: Escalation, stalemate, and settlement. McGraw-Hill.
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
Bogicevic Milikic, B., Janicijevic, N., & Cerovic, B. (2012). Two decades of post-socialism in Serbia: Lessons learned and emerging issues in human resource management. Economic Annals, 65(225), 73–97. https://doi.org/10.2298/EKA2025073A
Sljukic, S., & Sljukic, M. (2019). Conflicts in industrial organizations and transition: The case of Serbia. Socioloski pregled, 53(3), 836–859. https://doi.org/10.5937/socpreg53-22521
Hollinshead, G., & Maclean, M. (2007). Transition and organizational dissonance in Serbia. Human Relations, 60(10), 1551–1574. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726707083477
Thomas, K. W., & Kilmann, R. H. (1974). Thomas-Kilmann conflict mode instrument. CPP, Inc.
De Dreu, C. K. W., & Beersma, B. (2012). Conflict in organizations: Beyond effectiveness and performance. In S. W. J. Kozlowski (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of organizational psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 789–814). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199928286.013.0025
Gelfand, M. J., Leslie, L. M., Keller, K. M., & de Dreu, C. K. W. (2012). Conflict cultures in organizations: How leaders shape conflict cultures and their organizational-level consequences. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(6), 1131–1147. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029993
Rahim, M. A. (2011). Managing conflict in organizations (4th ed.). Transaction Publishers.
Tjosvold, D. (2008). The conflict-positive organization: It depends upon us. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 29(1), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.473
Jehn, K. A., & Bendersky, C. (2003). Intragroup conflict in organizations: A contingency perspective on the conflict–outcome relationship. Research in Organizational Behavior, 25, 187–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-3085(03)25005-X
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Predrag Knezevic

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.