IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE RESEARCH (JPASWR )

E-ISSN 2504-3597
P-ISSN 2695-2440
VOL. 10 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jpaswr.v10.no2.2025.pg19.36

---

Conflict Management Strategies and Workplace Cohesion in Federal Tertiary Institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Imbazi Woyengitari

---

Abstract

This study examines the impact of organisational politics on institutional development in Niger This study investigates the relationship between conflict management strategies and workplace cohesion in federal tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines how avoidance and collaboration conflict management strategies influence workplace cohesion. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the study collected primary data from a stratified random sample of 145 academic and non-academic staff of the Federal University Otuoke and the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe. A structured questionnaire utilizing a five-point Likert scale captured respondents' perceptions. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tools, including Spearman Rank Order Correlational Coefficient, were used to analyze the data via SPSS version 23. The findings underscore the significance of effective conflict resolution in promoting a harmonious work environment. Recommendations include implementing a strategic balance between avoidance and collaboration strategies to enhance workplace cohesion while reducing unnecessary conflicts. These insights are critical for institutional leaders and policymakers seeking to foster teamwork, effective communication, and organizational productivity. Future research should explore additional conflict management strategies and their impacts on workplace dynamics in academic institutions.

keywords:

Conflict Management Strategies, Workplace Cohesion, Avoidance Strategy,

---

References:

Bloom, H. (2015). The Western canon: The books and school of the ages. Riverhead Books.
Bodtker, A. M., & Jameson, J. K. (2001). Emotion in conflict formation and its transformation:
Application to organizational conflict management. International Journal of Conflict
Management, 12(3), 259–275. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb022858
Daniel, J. (2017). Managing workplace conflict: Strategies for resolving disputes and fostering
collaboration. Oxford University Press.
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–
https://doi.org/10.2307/3069453
Olubor, R. O., Abdulkareem, A. Y., Alabi, A. T., & Adeyanju, F. (2017). Conflict management in
tertiary institutions: A case study approach. University Press.
Rahim, M. A. (2011). Managing conflict in organizations. Transaction Publishers.
Sherrif, M. (2014). Understanding social conflicts: Theories and applications. Cambridge
University Press.
Soliku, O., & Schraml, U. (2018). Making sense of protected area conflicts and management
approaches: A review of causes, contexts and conflict management strategies. Biological
Conservation, 222, 136–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.011
De Dreu, C. K. W., & Van Vianen, A. E. M. (2001). Managing relationship conflict and the
effectiveness of organizational teams. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 22(3), 309–
https://doi.org/10.1002/job.71
Deutsch, M. (2000). Cooperation and competition. In M. Deutsch & P. T. Coleman (Eds.), The
handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice (pp. 21–40). Jossey-Bass.
Obasan, K. A. (2011). Impact of conflict management on corporate productivity: An evaluative
study. Australian Journal of Business and Management Research, 1(5), 44–49.
Thomas, K. W. (1992). Conflict and conflict management. In M. D. Dunnette & L. M. Hough
(Eds.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (Vol. 3, pp. 651–717).
Consulting Psychologists Press.
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
Ayoko, O. B., Callan, V. J., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2003). Workplace conflict, bullying, and
counterproductive behaviors: An empirical investigation. International Journal of
Organizational Analysis, 11(4), 283–301. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028976
Bendersky, C., & Hays, N. A. (2012). Status conflict in groups. Organization Science, 23(2), 323–
https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1110.0734
Blake, R. R., & Mouton, J. S. (1984). Solving costly organizational conflicts. Jossey-Bass.
DeChurch, L. A., & Marks, M. A. (2001). Maximizing the benefits of task conflict: The role of
conflict management. International Journal of Conflict Management, 12(1), 4–22.
https://doi.org/10.1108/eb022847
Jones, T. S., & Bodtker, A. (2001). Mediating with heart in mind: Addressing emotion in mediation
practice.
Negotiation
Journal,
17(3),
207–244.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1571-
9979.2001.tb00241.x
Rahim, M. A. (2002). Toward a theory of managing organizational conflict. The International
Journal of Conflict Management, 13(3), 206–235. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb022874
Wall, J. A., & Callister, R. R. (1995). Conflict and its management. Journal of Management, 21(3),
515–558. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639502100306
Bano, M., Ashraf, S., & Khan, N. (2013). Conflict management in educational institutions.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 3(7), 254–
Barmao, C. (2012). Effect of teacher motivation on students' performance in Kenya Certificate of
Secondary Education in public secondary schools in Kenya. Journal of Education and
Practice, 3(16), 25–30.
Ghaffar, A. (2010). Conflict in schools: Its causes & management strategies. Journal of
Managerial Sciences, 4(1), 123–135.
Jehn, K. A., & Bendersky, C. (2021). Intragroup conflict in organizations: A contingency
perspective on the conflict-outcome relationship. Research in Organizational Behavior,
41, 100146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2021.100146
Kipruto, J. K., & Kipkemboi, F. (2013). Influence of motivation on conflict resolution in secondary
schools in Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education
and Development, 2(3), 162–170.
Makaye, J., & Ndofirepi, A. (2012). Conflict resolution between heads and teachers: The case of
four schools in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Journal of Educational and Instructional Studies in
the World, 2(4), 187–196.
Makori, A., & Onderi, H. (2013). Examining the effectiveness of conflict resolution strategies in
schools: A study of secondary schools in Kenya. Educational Research and Reviews, 8(10),
487–495.
Msila, V. (2012). Conflict management and leadership in schools in South Africa: An education
law perspective. International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies,
4(4), 92–102.
Okumbe, J. A. (2008). Educational management: Theory and practice. Nairobi University Press.
Rahim, M. A. (2022). Managing conflict in organizations (5th ed.). Routledge.
Ramani, K., & Zhimin, L. (2010). A survey on conflict resolution mechanisms in public secondary
schools: A case of Nairobi Province, Kenya. Educational Research and Reviews, 5(5),
242–256.
Uchendu, C. C., Anijaobi-Idem, F. N., & Odigwe, F. N. (2013). Conflict management and
organisational performance in secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. Research
Journal in Organizational Psychology & Educational Studies, 2(2), 67–75.
Brett, J. M., Weingart, L. R., & Olekalns, M. (2021). Managing conflict to improve effectiveness:
A transactional perspective. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and
Organizational Behavior, 8(1), 89–113. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-
012420-055601
De Dreu, C. K. W., & Gelfand, M. J. (2022). The psychology of conflict and conflict management
in organizations. Routledge.
Greer, L. L., & Jehn, K. A. (2020). The pivotal role of negative affect in understanding the effects
of process conflict on group performance. Small Group Research, 51(4), 551–587.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1046496420922256
O’Neill, T. A., Allen, N. J., & Hastings, S. E. (2022). Conflict management in teams: The role of
emotional intelligence and communication. Group & Organization Management, 47(1), 3–
https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011211018816
Thomas, K. W., & Kilmann, R. H. (2022). Thomas-Kilmann conflict mode instrument (TKI). CPP,
Inc.
Ayoko, O. B., Callan, V. J., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2021). Workplace conflict, bullying, and
counterproductive behaviors. International Journal of Conflict Management, 32(4), 573–
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-04-2021-0073
Bass, B. M. (2022). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.
Bendersky, C., & Hays, N. A. (2022). Status conflict in groups. Organization Science, 33(2), 327–
https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1481
Brett, J. M., Weingart, L. R., & Olekalns, M. (2022). Managing conflict to improve effectiveness:
A transactional perspective. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and
Organizational Behavior, 9(1), 87–109. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-
012420-055601
Costa, A. C., Fulmer, C. A., & Anderson, N. (2022). Trust in work teams: An integrative review
and
research
agenda.
Journal
of
Organizational
Behavior,
43(1),
13–28.
https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2568
DeChurch, L. A., & Marks, M. A. (2022). Leadership and conflict management in teams. Group
&
Organization
Management,
47(2),
239–273.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011211023678
De Dreu, C. K. W., & Van Vianen, A. E. M. (2022). Managing relationship conflict and the
effectiveness of organizational teams. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(3), 455–
https://doi.org/10.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back