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Conflict Management in the Enterprises

Course developer

Prior knowledge

JurZ2026, Basics of Law

VadZ4053, Management

Course abstract

The course provides knowledge of and skills in the management of conflicts in an enterprise. The course builds up an understanding of conflict situations, how to identify the causes of conflicts and manage and solve the conflicts as well as how to prevent them. After conflict-solving models have been learnt, students will be able to apply alternative approaches and methods to conflict solving. The course equips students with the skills needed for an enterprise manager to manage conflicts in the enterprise.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
1. Knows and understands the basic elements of conflict, the emergence and development of conflicts – independent work.
2. Knowledge and understanding of conflict types – tests.
3. Knowledge of various conflict resolution methods and techniques – situational solution.
Skills
1. Able to independently use theoretical knowledge about conflicts – situational solution.
2. Able to explain and discuss the conflict and its causes in a reasoned manner – situational solution.
3. Able to develop a prevention plan for conflict prevention – situational solution, test.
4. Able to express arguments in a reasoned manner about the need for conflict prevention and the selected methods – situational solution.
Competence.

1. Ability to analyze the situation and make justified decisions in managing conflicts in a company – situational solution, exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Conflict essence and structure of the company, conflict causes and motives (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
2. Functional - organizational management conditions of the company (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
3. The company's internal conflict indicators in the cognitive sphere (lecture – 1 hour).
4. Consequences and impact of managing constructive and destructive conflicts on company operations (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 2 hours).
5. Using of internal conflicts of employees in motivation and adaptation process (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
6. Forms of enterprise conflict forecasting (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
7. Company conflict prevention measures and their organization (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 2 hours).
8. Ability to manage internal conflict warning conditions for company employees (lecture – 1 hour).
9. Choice and application of company’s conflict resolution methods (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
10. Types of labour conflicts and their management (lecture – 1 hour).
11. Decreasing factors of employee's standard of living and their influence on the company's performance (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
12. Application of social contradictions resolution methods, Legal provisions of the Latvian state regarding picket, strike announcement and organization (lecture – 1 hour).
13. Constructive methods of enterprise conflict resolution and justification of choice of solution criteria (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 2 hours).
14. Constructive methodology, conditions and factor management in conflict management (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).
15. Company's conflict resolution strategies and justification of their application (lecture – 1 hour).

16. Conflicts and conflict resolution in the context of sustainable development (lecture – 1 hour, practical task – 1 hour).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam.
1. Test - Conflict methodology, grouping of causes – 20 points;
2. Test - Conflict prevention planning – 20 points;
3. Practical conflict resolution work – 10 points;
4. Decision-making on conflict resolution – 10 points;

Final exam, all topics – 40 points.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Within the study course, 49 hours are allocated for independent studies, which are organized as follows: preparation for the exam (19 hours); preparation for practical work and 2 tests (30 hours).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The course evaluation depends on 2 tests, case studies and an exam. 10 points make up 1 grade.

Compulsory reading

1. Fēlovs E. Konflikti darbā. Rīga: Balta eko, 2003. 10 lpp.
2. Konflikti un to risināšana. Rīga: Lietišķās informācijas dienests, 2009. 110 lpp. Grāmatu sērija “Lessons Learned, sarunas par pasaules līderiem”
3. Pikeringa P. Strīdi. Nesaskaņas. Konflikti. Rīga: 2000. 185 lpp.

4. Sarunu un konfliktu risināšana. Šmidhts V. u.c. Rīga: Lietišķās informācijas dienests. 2007. 184 lpp. Grāmatu sērija “Harvard. Business Review”

Further reading

1. Thomas K. W., Kilman R. M., Thomas–Kilman Conflict Mode Instrument. Mountain View, CA: CPP, Inc., 2007. 34 p.

2. Sandole D. J., Byrne S., Sandole–Staroste I., Senehi J. Handbook of Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Oxon: Rootledge, 2009. 535 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts. ISSN 1407-2041
2. Forbes. "SK Media" SIA. Forbes. Rīga. ISSN 1691-6018

3. The Economist. London: Economist Newspaper Ltd. ISSN 0013-0613

Notes

ESAF Professional Bachelor's Degree Program in “Business and Management” of the specialization “Business Management”