READ THE ARTICLE BELOW AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW:

TMC Announces Changes to Executive Structure, Senior Professional/Senior Toyota City, Japan, December 3, 2020Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today that it intends to implement changes to its executive structure, senior professional/senior management employees, and organizational structure effective January 1, 2021. To respond to severe changes in the external environment, TMC, based on its basic policy of appointing the right people to the right positions based on the achievements and experience of each person, has been swiftly and continuously innovating its executive and organizational structures. This year, in addition to clarifying that operating officers are responsible for looking over management of the entire company as chief officers in close coordination with the president, TMC is further innovating by refreshing its operating officer lineup in response to management challenges as they arise, the path that the company should take, and other factors, and is positioning its operating officers with unprecedented flexibility. In addition to this approach and looking ahead to the next generation, the changes to TMC's executive structure announced today are aimed at using hands-on experience to develop a skilled workforce whose members will be able to fulfill roles as chief officers. The changes also reflect TMC's basic policy of appointing the right people to the right positions based on the achievements and experience of each person. The changes to TMC's senior professional/senior management employees include the establishment of the post of Chief Project Leader (CPL). Transcending their customary domains, CPLs are to serve as project leaders from a company-wide perspective.

Question 1

As a senior executive, discuss the various sources of conflict that TMC may have experienced in context of the article as well as two (2) conflict management strategies.

Notes

Students are to research the significance and benefits of diversity management and relate it to the key areas mentioned in the question. Ensure examples are provided to support your discussion.