CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study

Organization be it public or private small or big exist essentially to achieve certain economic social or political objectives. These objectives may be in form of profit making, provision of services production of goods and increases in sales turnover etc. however these objectives can only be achieved when human resources are employed to utilize other resources such as raw materials, machineries, money and information. (George and Jones 1996) organization are made up of different people with different attitude, beliefs, abilities and personality therefore conflicts is inevitable. There is no organization that can effectively carry out its day to day activities without encountering some form of conflict. Therefore conflict is the most common general and wide-spread phenomenon that is synonymous with group activity and interaction. According to Uya (1992), conflict cannot be completely dissociated from human beings and their endeavors be it group or organization. This means that conflict is necessary evil that one cannot do without. Conflict refers to a situation in which there are incompatible goals, cognition or emotion within or between individuals or group that led to opposition (Uya, 1992). This definition recognizes three basic types of conflict which are goal conflict which arises when the desired outcomes are in compatible between groups cognitive and effective conflict. Cognitive conflicts arise as a result of incompatibility of ideas.  Affective conflict on the other hand usually arises when there is an incompatibility in emotions. Conflict can also arise when two or more values, prospective and opinions are contradictory in natures and have not been agreed upon, conflict has both positive and negative effect on organization that is why there is a need for effective conflict management strategy. Conflict management refers to an attempt to control or regulate conflict through a number of measures.   (Adeyemi and Ademilua,2012) constructively managed conflict induces a positive performance while privately managed conflict heats up the environment to bring about dislocation of the entire group and polarization reduced productivity on job performance, psychological and physical injury. Though an effective conflict management a cooperative atmosphere is created to promote opportunities and movements are directed towards non- violent, reconciation or basic clashing interest (Uchindu, Anijaobi and Odigwe, 2013).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Considering the impart of conflict in an organization and how people view the concept it becomes imperative for such a research work to be carried out in order for the organization association and even interested public appreciate the concept. This study also seeks to explain the effectiveness of conflict in organization and also the harmony available in managing the conflict.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between conflict management and cooperative survival. The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Examine the relationship between conflict avoidance and corporate survival in selected commercial banks in Rivers State.
2. Determine the relationship between competition and corporate survival in selected commercial banks in Rivers State.
3. Ascertain the relationship between cooperation and corporate survival in selected commercial bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

1.4 Research Question

The following research questions were proposed to guide the study.

1. Does conflict avoidance relate with corporate survival in selected commercial banks in Rivers State?
2. Does competition relate with corporate survival in selected commercial banks in Rivers State?
3. Does cooperation relate with corporate survival in selected commercial banks in Rivers State?

1.5 Significant of the Study

The relevant of this study rest in the importance to stakeholders in the organization. This study will assist organizational managers on the tools techniques to employ in managing conflict in their respective organizations in the banking industries. This study is pertinent to trade unionist in their respective organizations. This study is justified because it will assist in the stability and relative profitability in the organization particularly in the period of economic recession. This study will also contribute in enriching the literature in industrial relations particularly in management sciences in general.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is delimited under the following headings; content scope, geographical scope and unit of analysis

Content Scope: The content of this study involves on investigation to ascertain the relationship between conflict management and corporate survival.

Geographical Scope: This study is delimited to selected commercial banks in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Unit of Analysis: The unit of analysis involved the staff at the terms of carrying this study. The scope of this study is to ascertain the relationship between conflict management and corporate survival.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

In carrying out an investigation of this nature the researcher must of necessity be faced with some constraints.

Firstly, the time constraints, the time frame provided for this study was short.

Secondly, Financial constraints. Usually, a study of this nature involved some level of expenditure therefore; finance was also a limiting factor.

Thirdly, Poor response from the respondent and inability to access the entire population of the study. In the next segment significance of the study will be discussed and lastly, poor measurement instrument.

1.8 Definition of Related Terms

AVOIDANCE

This study argues that “avoidance” in some instances, be recognized as an active form of conflict resolution. That adopting avoidance as a method of conflict resolution can be an active method of team building demonstrated if the organization considers the staff.

COMPETITION

It reflects a desire to meet one’s own needs and concerns at the expense of the other party. As the model illustrates, the most assertive and least co-operative people use the competitive style. If the stakes are high, enough, a very competitive person’s use of power may well be limit only by some greater external power such as the law or social taboos.

COOPERATION

Cooperation is the most appropriate tool for managing organizational conflict if do not suffer the parties from time pressures. Solution to achieve the benefit of all the conviction of the importance common interests the manager can a therapist for the conflict broke out between his subordinates, when touching their tendency to encourage him and asked to sit down to determine the nature the conflict between them and the reasons for, and pray for themselves to appropriate solutions.

CONFLICT AVOIDANCE

This attempts to keep the conflict surfacing at all or would simply ignore the conflict or impose a solution. This type of strategy may be used if the conflict is trivial or if quick action is needed to prevent the conflict from occurring.

CORPORATE SURVIVAL

This is the continued existence of a company especially in a difficult or dangerous condition.

ADAPTABILITY

Is an aspect of resilience that reflect clearing flexibility to experiment and adopt novel solutions and the development of generalized response to broad classes of challenges.

DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES

By contrast refers to the capacity of an organization to purposely create extend or modify it resources base.

CONFLICT

This refers to a solution in which there is incompatible goals recognition or emotion within or individual or group that leads to opposition.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

It is the attempt to control or regulate conflict through numbers of measures.