Controlling the Costs of Conflict: How to Design a System for Your Organization (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) [Paperback]

Karl A. Slaikeu (Author), Ralph H. Hasson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jossey-Bass Business & Management | Publication Date: November 13, 1998

Written for non-experts in jargon-free language, this work shows how to create systems within organizations that preempt the monetary, strategic, and emotional costs associated with on-the-job conflict. Its clear and simple approach translates advanced concepts into practical how-tos and provides readers with four guiding principles they can follow to create conflict control systems of their own. Amply illustrated with real-world examples, it details the policies, procedures, and practices that make for successful control systems and tells precisely how to implement them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Slaikeu and Hasson have outlined a thoughtful and accessible conflict resolution blueprint for those companies that seek to be among the employers of choice in the next century." --Wilbur Hicks, ombudsman, Shell Oil Company

"Slaikeu and Hasson, who are practitioners as well as researchers, are for real. This systems-design book--finally--is about the nuts and bolts of what really has to be in a system. The checklists and best-practice summaries will be helpful to all managers, and to everyong who thinks about organizations in a systematic way." --Mary Rowe, MIT ombudsperson, and adjunct professor of negotiation and conflict management, MIT Sloan School of Management

"Anyone interested in better understanding how to control the costs of conflict will find this book of significant value." --Benjamin W. Heineman Jr., senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, General Electric

From the Inside Flap

In an increasingly collaborative business environment, continued success often depAnds on the ability of individuals, teams, and organizations with mutual interests to work smoothly together. But as any manager knows, things do not always go as planned.When the inevitable conflict arises, many companies resort to power plays, rush to litigation, or simply choose to ignore the problem-options that can cost a company dearly in more ways than one. Those costs can often be avoided, however, with the establishment of systems that promote collaboration and stop disagreements from becoming expensive disputes. Here, two experts offer four guiding principles for doing just that.Written for non-experts in jargon-free language, Controlling the Costs of Conflict shows readers how to build the kinds of policies, procedures, and practices that can cut up to 80 percent of related legal expenses, slow turnover, strengthen long-term business relationships, reduce stress, and promote the success of an organization's mission. Its clear and simple approach translates advanced concepts into practical how-tos, illustrating key points with real-world examples.From choosing the best resolution option to early intervention to fostering collaborative strength, the guidelines found here apply equally to businesses, public agencies, religious institutions, schools, neighborhood associations, even nations. These principles will help organizations diagnose the weaknesses in their existing systems or build from scratch new systems that have the power to reduce the monetary, strategic, and emotional costs of conflict.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (November 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787943231
• ISBN-13: 978-0787943233
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Law > Business > Arbitration, Negotiation & Mediation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Using collaboration to meet the challenge of conflicts., March 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Controlling the Costs of Conflict: How to Design a System for Your Organization (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Paperback)

This work offers an approach to controlling costs through building collaborative strength for prevention and early intervention. The authors show that there are four basic approaches, each appropriate in given circumstances, but only one-collaboration-that holds the potential of win-win outcomes. However, most organizations over-use approaches that employ avoidance, authority and power, which tend to prove costly, rather than develop and employ systems that promote collaborative resolution and end conflicts from escalating into expensive disputes. The authors take a highly realistic approach to their subject. The book is rich in substantive ideas and method. It provides detailed guidelines for building a system and applying the principles the authors champion. An excellent contribution, worthy of your attention.