Exploring conflicts among co-workers of diverse national backgrounds: a case study of the Kazungula bridge project between Botswana and Zambia.
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Date
2022-06-16
Authors
Mumbi, Bwalya Chilufya
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
This study aimed at exploring conflicts among co-workers of diverse national backgrounds employed under the Kazungula Bridge Project between Botswana and Zambia. Organisational or workplace conflict refers to the condition of misunderstanding or disagreement that is caused by the perceived or actual opposition in the needs, interests and values among people who work together. The conflicts occur during situations where there is an interaction between two or more members of an organisation involving contradictory opinions. Organisational conflicts are influenced by a variety of factors like the lack of clarity in the responsibility of the team members, the interpersonal relationship that is shared by the members of the organisation. The scarcity of the needed resources may lead to the rise of conflict between the members of the organisation. This research deployed the case study design. The study used the descriptive qualitative method based on the descriptive phenomenology in order to explore the subject deeply. The study used interviews, having questions based on the themes of capturing the phenomenon, contextualisation of the experience, its clarification and exploration.
The findings reviewed that national background plays a significant role in triggering conflicts among employees because some nationalities overvalue their tradition. Language diversity and skin colour played a major role in triggering conflicts. Income of some workers and the differences in culture and traditions, language constraints, insults and differences in religions belief contributed in triggering conflicts. Challenges encountered by the workers are that most workers have had a very negative experience from language differences. There is language barrier and culture clash among workers and management. Ignorance and a lack of teamwork spirit was present among most of the workers. Some workers have a superiority complex. While some workers from the Asian ethnicity always think they know more and are more intelligent than those from other ethnicity like African. The recommendation is that there is need to provide conflict resolution training, communication skills training, create an environment that encourages participation and make sure employees are clear about organisational goals and priorities. The government should also come up with laws which looks at ethnic conflicts in a work-place.
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Social conflict. , Citizenship--Social aspects. , Personnel management. , Organisational conflict. , Conflict and negotiation.