IMPROVING ORGANIZATION EFFICIENCY THROUGH CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY (I.M.T) ENUGU.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

          Ours is an age of rapid change, unrest and conflicting ideologies.  Society is unsettled and individuals are apprehensive as group, nations and organized groups within the nation’s struggle for power and control over material resources and man’s mind.  It is in such a world setting of tension and discourages that we view the present day relationship between labour and management in Nigeria.

          In an organization, there are the owners of business who’s primary goals and objective is to maximize profit at all cost, while on the other hand, there are workers whose only weapon is this labour power with which they earn some reward usually monetarily.  In other words, these two groups (the owners and workers) here their own are interest which might differ.  Nevertheless, they re bound to co-operate in other to maintain and sustain the system of going concern.  However, where there is no co-operation, there will be conflict.  Conflict can be described as a situation of disagreement between employers, employee and employer etc.  It could also be seen as the total rouge of behaviour and express opposition and divergent orientation between owners and managers on one hand, worker and the organization on the other hand.

          Organization conflict is therefore a familiar characteristics of organization life.

1.1     GENERAL BACKGROUND TO THE SUBJECT MATTER

          It’s fundamental cause is the self interest  of individuals in the organization, a self-interest which frequently manifests itself in competing objectives, philosophies or methods in associating struggles of one or more level or department to dominate the other.  The presence of conflict brings change in our organization objective, if the change is in line with organization objective, than the conflict is beneficial (functional) to the organization, but if on the other hand, the conflict create disunity among functionaries in the organization this deviation from the stated organization objective, then such a conflict is dysfunctional.

          Conflict can be main, tested inform of discount struggle, quarrel, opposition, disagreement, clash of interest and ever fighting.  It can rough from industrial strike to competition, to simple dislike among individuals in an organization. It may occurs between or sub-groups, departments sub-system, authority relationship, individuals and even sub-organizations in there quest to either incompatible goals in the face of the resources.

          The Institute of management and Technology (I.M.T) Enugu, is not an exception to the inherent problem posed by conflict.  The inability of the management to effectively by handle conflicts has led to a considerable wastage of human and materials resources heading some times to a partial or non-fulfillment of the stated organizational goals and objectives.

          Considering the vital position which the institute of Management and Technology (I.M.T) Enugu, holds or occupies in the nation as one of the three major tertiary institutions, tea holds and supports the educational system.  It therefore, became important using I.M.T as a focal point since the academic performance or the institution will directly have a great impact on the nations educational system.

          This research work is undertakes so as to enable the organization to comprehend and appreciate this in her sent nature of conflict and how resolving it will result to an improvement of the institutions efficiency.

1.2     PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER

          The increased interest gap between the employer and employee is becoming too devastating in our present day institutions.  A lot of firm are collapsing due to increasing pressure form owners, public or the workers.  This project work in effect tends to address the following problems.

1.       The problems arising from the inefficiency of the workers caused by the organizational inability to meet their needs.

2.       The Problems associated with the increasing labour conflicts in our institutions.

3.       The problems associated with inconsistent grievance handling.

4.       The problems usually encountered in trying grievance and dispute procedure.

1.3     PROBLEMS THAT THE STUDY WILL BE CONCERNED WITH

          Since conflict is inevitable in work organization or institution, a career-minded person must learn practically, uncomplicated ways of resolving conflicts with people to enhance efficiency.

          In regards, this study aims at examining the impact of academic institutions conflict, industrial and trade union conflicts with reference to

a.       The causes of conflicts.

b.       The mechanism that have been put in place for its resolution by the institution or organization.

c.       Examining the attitude of management towards conflicts resolution.

d.       To identify how efficiency can be increased in an organization though, proper appreciation of causes and mechanisms for conflict resolution.

e.       It hoes to suggest to organization functionaries how to mange positive and negative conflicts in order to accomplish organizational goals and objectives.

1.4     THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE AREA

          This research work is aimed at giving an insight into the conflict and grievance handling procedure as it operates in (I.M.T) Enugu.

          It should also help the institution to isolate those factors that causes conflict in the organization or to reduce conflict in labour management.  Relationship there by improving organization efficiency.  The causes and mechanisms for conflict resolution in this research work serves as a guide to managers in other establishments.

1. 1. DEFINITION OF IMPORTANT TERMS

In the course of pursing this research work, the researcher encountered numerous problems that has a significant effect on the study.

Definition of some of the important Terms this study include:

1.       Inconsistent Grievance Handling

          The inability of management of handle redress grievances leads to conflict which in turn offer, leads to low productivity.

2.       Inefficiency of the Workers

          The problems which arises form the inefficiency of the workers is caused by the organization or institution’s inability to meet their needs.

3.       The causes of Conflicts:

          The causes of conflicts emanates from jealousy, haziness, unpaid wages, poor working condition or environment, poor remuneration etc.

4.       Labour Conflicts:

          This is usually caused when workers or employers repel their duties (gold bricker) due to laziness and there by leading to low productivity.