HCM 433 MANGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR.pdf

expectations that supervisor, though a separate link between management and the workforce also
have their own unique set of value and attitudes.
Conflict arises because supervisors themselves, like workers and managers, do not know which set
of expectations they should follow. Hence, applied to the work place, Role Conflict – “involves an
incompatibility between job tasks/activities, resources, rules or policies, and other people”.
Ordinarily conflict is defined as the struggle between incompatible or opposing needs, wishes,
ideas, interest or people. Conflict arises when individual or groups encounters goals that parties
cannot attain/obtain satisfactorily.
In any organizational setting groups do put effective pressure on individuals by the requirement to
comply with the rules and regulations of their association. Pressure arises particularly because,
usually, unwritten ‘laws’ to fall in line are often backed by sanctions in the form of the Uncooperative
behavour of the rest of group and all possible forms of astracisation. And this can lead to
stress on the individual who dare fall out with the group. This stress arises as a result of role
conflict and role ambiguity.
Role Conflict Occurs when a group member is obliged to behave in ways inconsistent with his
inmate behavioural patterns. There are four principal types of role conflicts:
The first type is known as Inter-Sender Role conflict and it occurs when the
inconsistent demand faced by the individual comes from different members of a group.
The second, referred to as intersender role occurs when the inconsistent demand comes
from the same manager or office.
Inter Role Conflict is the third and it is induced when someone outside a group makes
a demand inconsistent with the group’s (own role).
The fourth type called Person-Role Conflict develops when the group’s demand is
inconsistent with the individual’s own beliefs, attitudes and general value system.
Role Ambiguity: This result from inadequate information or knowledge to do a job. This
ambiguity may be due to inadequate training, poor communication, or the deliberate withholding
or distortion of information by a co-worker or supervisor. Role ambiguity is of two types – Task
Ambiguity and Emotional Ambiguity. Task Ambiguity occurs when an individual is uncertain
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