CASE STUDY

Instructions: Read the case and answer the following questions.

N$.$B$.$ Refer to the case where necessary to cement your responses.

Oscar Says $"$No Way"

Matt Lawrence is a supervisor of an eight member cost accounting department in a large metal fabricating plant. He was promoted about six months ago tothat position after only a year as an accountant. This was largely due to his qualifications; he had a Master's in Business Administration and no one else in the department had a college degree. The transition to supervisor went smoothly and there were hardly any problems until one morning.

The need for another cost accountant in the office had been obvious to Matt for over a month. Overtime had become commonplace and was putting a strain on the department members, as well as the department's budget. Matt had his eye on one particular individual in the production control department who he thought would fit the position quite well. He spoke with the production control supervisor and the Human Resource manager, and the three agreed that that a young black clerk in production named Richard might be a$.$good candidate to move into cost accounting and help with the increased departmental work load. Richard had been with the company for eight months, showing above$-$average potential and was only six units shy of attaining a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.

Matt had discussed the cost accounting position with Richard earlier in the week and he was enthusiastic. Matt had said that, while he could make no promises, he thought that he would recommend him for the job. He also told him that it would be a week or so before a final decision was made and the announcement made official.

One morning when Matt entered his office he was confronted by Oscar O'Riley, a fifty eight year old cost accountant who had been at the company since its opening over twenty five years ago. Oscar had heard a rumour that Richard would be coming to work in the cost department. Oscar minced no words: "I've never worked with a black person and I never will." His face was red and it was obvious that this was an emotionally charged issue for him. His short, one$-$way confrontation closed with the statement: "I have no intention of working in the same department as that fellow"

Define the term conflict?

Explain the source of conflict in the organization?

Distinguish between functional and dysfunctional conflict using relevant examples?

Discuss sny theee conflict handling strategies that Matt could use help refuce this conflict?