CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The nexus between conflict management and organizational effectiveness in manufacturing companies in Rivers state was analyzed critically in this study. The study used a cross sectional survey-a form of quasi experimental design. The study surveyed a total of 139 workers from 12 randomly chosen companies. The research employed a systematic sampling method and drew a cumulative sample of 103 workers from the workforce. The study's main data collection instrument was a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Spearman rank order correlation coefficient. The study showed a substantial link between the elements of conflict management (compromising and accommodating) and organizational effectiveness metrics (adaptability and job satisfaction). Thus, it was concluded that a well-managed conflict policy within the company would contribute to the firm's increased effectiveness. As such, the study suggested, among other recommendations, that management of manufacturing companies employ a compromising approach when they face the possibility of losing something important, such as a highly skilled employee, as this would further maximize the firm's rate of effectiveness.