Author
Faculty member, Yazd University
Abstract
In this research, on the basis of Thomas’ five point scale (1977: 98-102) a survey asking for the opinions of the high-school principals in Yazd for the academic year 1380- 81 (2001/2002) was conducted. The main focus of the research was to find out how principals go about conflict management. The styles under survey were as follows: Forcing and Dominance, Accomodation, Avoidance, Compromising, and Collaboration. These styles determine to what extent the principals utilize their personal opinions in conflict management and how much they accept the opinion of others. From a total population of 102 subjects (53male, 49 fenale) 60 principals (30 male, 30 female) were randomly selected for the survey. The data obtained were analyzed by using Fisher’s Z Test utilizing SPSS statistical software. A questionnaire consisting of 30 items in likert-type format was used, The items were constructed on the basis of Thomas theory, Rahim’s (1990) questions, and S. Robin’s questionnaire. The results of the study show the ranking of the styles advocated by the principals to be as follows: 1) collaboration, with 23 points; 2) compromising, 22 points; 3) accomodation, 15 points; 4) dominance, 13 points; 5) avoidance, 12 points. The results exhibit partial simlarities to those conducted in Iran and neighboring countries.
Keywords
Corwin, R.G. (1990). Bureaucratic Orientation and Specialists Orientation Conflict. New York: Prentice Hall. pp. 78-95.
Etzioni, A. (1989). Scientists in Organization & Bureaucratic. New York: Wiley Inc. pp. 66-70.
Fleisig, N.N. (1990). A Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Professional Crisis Management (P.C.M.) New York: Harper and Brothers Inc. pp. 88-95.
Gouldner, A. (1991). A study of conflict between professional employee & bureaucratic one. NJ: American Journal of Sociology. N: 604. pp. 25-30.
Janis, I., & Leon, M. (1989). Managerial Decision Making Conflict Theory. Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 23-25.
Rico, L. (1974). Organizational conflict: A framework for reappraisal. Industrial Management Review, Fall 1974. p. 67.
Robbins, S.P. (1978). Conflict management and conflict resolution are not synonymous terms. California Management Review, Winter, 1978, pp.67-75.
Thomas, K.W. (1988). Managent of Conflict. Chicago: Rand Mc Nally Inc. pp.
98-105.
Thompson, J.D. (1976). Organizing management of conflict. Adminisfrative Science Quartery, March 1976, p. 89.