Sources of Conflict and Group Dynamics

This set of flashcards covers the key concepts related to conflict sources, group dynamics, decision-making processes, and leadership theories useful for exam preparation.

Sources of Conflict

Limited resources, communication issues, role ambiguity, incompatible goals, and interpersonal differences.

Triangle/Relationship Conflict

A conflict where a third party becomes involved and escalates issues.

360° Assessment

Feedback from peers, supervisors, subordinates, and customers.

Barriers to Effective Decision Making

Biases, lack of information, time limits, groupthink, and emotional pressures.

Working Group

Group that shares information but works individually.

Collaborative Group

Group that works interdependently toward shared goals.

Functional Group

Group organized by job function (HR, marketing, etc.).

Non-functional Group

Group lacking cohesion or productivity.

Ground Rules

Behavioral expectations for group interactions.

Rules of Operation

Procedures and logistics guiding group work.

Tariffs

Taxes placed on imported goods.

Manifest Needs Theory

People are motivated by needs such as achievement, affiliation, and power.

Expectancy Theory

Motivation depends on effort → performance → reward belief.

Elements of Leadership Process

Leader, followers, context, communication, and goals.

Long-Range Planning

Strategic planning 3–5+ years in the future.

Least Preferred Coworker (LPC)

Measures if a leader is task- or relationship-oriented.

Emergent Leader

A leader who naturally rises from a group.

Visionary Leader

Creates and motivates through a compelling future vision.

Programmed Decision

Routine, rule-based decision.

Non-programmed Decision

Unique, complex decisions requiring judgment.

Organizational Development

Planned changes to improve effectiveness.

Organizational Behavior

Study of human behavior in organizations.

Stages of an Organization

Startup, growth, maturity, decline, renewal.

Groupthink

Group pressures override realistic evaluation of alternatives.

Expatriate Employee

Employee assigned to work in another country.

Cost-Leadership Strategy

Being the lowest-cost producer in an industry.

Kotter’s Findings

Successful managers build networks and work interactively.

Rank-and-File Employees

Non-managerial employees doing daily operations.

Change Agent

Person who drives and supports change.

Decision Making

Choosing an option among alternatives.

Emotional Intelligence

Ability to understand and manage emotions.

Succession Planning

Preparing people to fill future key positions.

Informational Manager Role

Collecting and sharing information.

Decisional Manager Role

Making strategic, resource, and conflict decisions.

Simple–Stable Environment

Environment with few factors that change slowly.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts like availability, representativeness, anchoring.

Centralization

Where decision authority is concentrated.

Formalization

Degree to which rules/procedures are written and followed.

Decision-Making Process

Identify, gather info, develop options, choose, implement, review.

Shift in Voice on Harassment

Employees more likely to speak up due to protection/culture.

Glassdoor Effect

Online employee reviews influencing company reputation.

Stakeholder

Anyone affected by a company (employees, customers, community).

Stockholder

Someone who owns shares of a company.

Stakeholder Theory

Organizations should create value for all stakeholders.

Vision

Future aspiration of organization.

Mission

Purpose of organization.

Values

Guiding beliefs and principles.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats.

Unity of Command

Each employee reports to only one manager.

External Environment

Outside forces affecting an organization.

Divisional Structure

Organized by product, region, or customer.

Organizational Structure

System of roles, hierarchy, and coordination.

Henry Fayol

Created 14 principles of management.

Max Weber

Developed bureaucracy theory; emphasized rules and hierarchy.

Gantt Chart

Project timeline showing task durations.

Frederick Winslow Taylor

Father of scientific management.

Ensuring Quality Group Decisions

Encourage diversity, open communication, structure, avoid groupthink.

Disadvantage of Group Decisions

Slow, potential conflict, strong personalities dominating.

Ethical Dilemma

Situation involving a conflict between moral choices.

Entrepreneurship Phase

Early organizational stage focused on innovation and survival.

Environmental Trends

External changes that affect business operations.

Diverse Group Members

Improve creativity and help avoid groupthink.

Span of Control

Number of employees reporting to a manager.

Importing

Bringing goods from abroad to sell domestically.

What are the sources of conflict?

Limited resources, communication issues, role ambiguity, incompatible goals, and interpersonal differences.

What is Triangle/Relationship Conflict?

A conflict where a third party becomes involved and escalates issues.

What is a 360° Assessment?

Feedback from peers, supervisors, subordinates, and customers.

What are barriers to effective decision making?

Biases, lack of information, time limits, groupthink, and emotional pressures.

What defines a Working Group?

A group that shares information but works individually.

What is a Collaborative Group?

A group that works interdependently toward shared goals.

What is a Functional Group?

A group organized by job function (HR, marketing, etc.).

What is a Non-functional Group?

A group lacking cohesion or productivity.

What are Ground Rules?

Behavioral expectations for group interactions.

What are Rules of Operation?

Procedures and logistics guiding group work.

What are Tariffs?

Taxes placed on imported goods.

What does Manifest Needs Theory state?

People are motivated by needs such as achievement, affiliation, and power.

What is Expectancy Theory?

Motivation depends on effort → performance → reward belief.

What are the elements of the Leadership Process?

Leader, followers, context, communication, and goals.

What is Long-Range Planning?

Strategic planning 3–5+ years in the future.

How is Least Preferred Coworker (LPC) measured?

It measures if a leader is task- or relationship-oriented.

What is an Emergent Leader?

A leader who naturally rises from a group.

What defines a Visionary Leader?

A leader who creates and motivates through a compelling future vision.

What is a Programmed Decision?

A routine, rule-based decision.

What is a Non-programmed Decision?

A unique, complex decision requiring judgment.

What is Organizational Development?

Planned changes to improve effectiveness.

What is Organizational Behavior?

The study of human behavior in organizations.

What are the Stages of an Organization?

Startup, growth, maturity, decline, renewal.

What is Groupthink?

Group pressures override realistic evaluation of alternatives.

What defines an Expatriate Employee?

An employee assigned to work in another country.

What is a Cost-Leadership Strategy?

Being the lowest-cost producer in an industry.

What are Kotter’s Findings?

Successful managers build networks and work interactively.

Who are Rank-and-File Employees?

Non-managerial employees doing daily operations.

What is a Change Agent?

A person who drives and supports change.

What is Decision Making?

Choosing an option among alternatives.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

The ability to understand and manage emotions.

What is Succession Planning?

Preparing people to fill future key positions.

What is the Informational Manager Role?

Collecting and sharing information.

What is the Decisional Manager Role?

Making strategic, resource, and conflict decisions.

What defines a Simple–Stable Environment?

An environment with few factors that change slowly.

What are Heuristics?

Mental shortcuts like availability, representativeness, anchoring.