ASSESSMENT OF INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN PHARMACEUTICALS FUND AND SUPPLY AGENCY

Abstract

Interpersonal conflict is one of the major types of organizational conflict and occurs at different levels in an organization. It can also spread rapidly among employees and its negative outcome has strong influence on the employees and organization if it is not properly managed. The purpose of this study is assessment of interpersonal conflict and its management in pharmaceuticals fund and supply agency„s head office. This was carried out by investigating the perceived cause, type, outcome of interpersonal conflict and strategies used to managing it. The study employed descriptive research design. A sample of 210 were selected using systematic random sampling and was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding reveal that interpersonal conflicts are occurring at the medium level and are based on both task and relationship conflict. Poor communication, role ambiguity, unfair treatment and personal character has been identified as the major causes of interpersonal conflict in the agency and has both positive and negative organizational outcome. Strategies that managers used to manage interpersonal conflicts were avoiding and competing. Similarly, the result indicated that interpersonal conflict management strategies and task conflict has a significant association with the organizational performance. Thus the study recommends that both managers and employees need to have the basics of interpersonal conflict management in order to minimize possible negative outcomes and increase the positive outcome by Building Corporation among employees and designing conflict management training program.