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Conflict management in outsourced engineering projects in South Africa

- Mdontsane, A.B., Nel, H., Marnewick, A.

An assessment of the occurrences of dispute in public sector infrastructure projects

- Maseko, Lungisile

  • Authors: Maseko, Lungisile
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Dispute resolution (Law) , Construction industry - Management , Construction contracts , Conflict management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/233028 , uj:23782
  • Description: M.Tech. (Quantity Surveying) , Abstract: Construction disputes happen fairly often: they are a reality on every construction project and could happen at any stage during the design or construction phase of the project. The objective of this study is to investigate the causes - and effects of disputes in construction projects however, the study has revealed that stakeholders play a significant role in dispute causation as a result of disputes by the client, consultant - , or contractors, and through design deficiency. Moreover, primary findings from the study outlines four major categories of dispute causation such as construction related causes of disputes; financial/economical causes of disputes, management causes of disputes and contract related causes of disputes. This study further reveals that when disputes are not resolved in timeously, they become very expensive – in terms of finances, personnel, time, and opportunity costs. The visible expenses (e.g., attorneys, expert witnesses, the dispute resolution process itself) alone are significant. The less visible costs (e.g., company resources assigned to the dispute, lost business opportunities) and the intangible costs (e.g., damage to business relationships, potential value lost due to inefficient dispute resolution) are also considerable, although difficult or impossible to quantify, However, if disputes could be minimized and approached accordingly many disputes could be avoided. Nevertheless, if a dispute is not resolved promptly, it may escalate and ultimately require litigation proceedings which can be extremely costly for the parties concerned and even damage business relationships. The study is conducted with reference to existing literature, and unpublished and published research. Hence, this study explores the causes and effects of construction disputes and presents a robust background to the theories of construction project disputes.
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Resolving conflict in the project environment using emotional intelligence

- De Villiers, Johan

  • Authors: De Villiers, Johan
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Conflict management , Project management , Emotional intelligence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293689 , uj:31940
  • Description: Abstract: Conflict is part of everyday life and with conflict management revolving around making sure everyone feels heard and respected, whilst negotiating a mutually beneficial solution that everyone involved can accept, it is however the methods and techniques project managers use in resolving conflict that could potentially influence the success of any project. With literature varying in opinion as to whether emotionally intelligent project managers have an improved ability to effectively manage conflict in a project environment, the aim of this research study is to investigate what conflict management strategies project managers with a high level of emotional intelligence prefer including its subsequent impact on overall project success. The four project managers part of this research study, each manages two of the eight project case studies, the elected research method. The preferred conflict resolution strategy and level of emotional intelligence of each of the project managers constitutes the primary data collection. Overall client satisfaction i.e. the measure for project success, constitutes the secondary data collection. Findings suggest that those project managers with a high level of emotional intelligence prefer the conflict management strategy of compromising with this preference having a positive effect on the outcome of the project and those with a lower level of emotional intelligence prefer the conflict resolution strategy of either avoiding or competing with this preference having a direct negative impact on project success. Further research is however needed in order to generalize the results observed but based on the findings it is the researcher’s suggestion that companies should encourage project managers to develop and master the skills of emotional intelligence along with the skills needed to efficiently deal with conflict in the project environment. These skills could form the basis of developing a project managers ability to resolve conflict effectively within a project environment with the benefit thereof not only applicable to project managers but also those individuals forming part of the project team. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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Conflict management in selected secondary schools in the Durban South region of Kwa-Zulu Natal

- Kistan, Kenny Frank

Mobile communication privacy management in romantic relationships : a dialectical approach

- Ngcongo, Mthobeli

Konflikbestuur: die verband tussen deelnemende ingrepe, konflikpotensiaal en konflikmanifestasie

- Van Aarde, Martinus Christoffel

Intergroup conflict within a South African mining company

- Havenga, Werner, Visagie, Jan, Linde, Herman, Gobind, Jenni

  • Authors: Havenga, Werner , Visagie, Jan , Linde, Herman , Gobind, Jenni
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Mining industry - South Africa , Intergroup dynamics , Conflict management , Industrial relations
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5903 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8022
  • Description: The uncertainty that accompanies organizational change heightens prospects for intra-organizational conflict. Notwithstanding this, the knowledge base on the sources (or causes) of organizational conflict is underdeveloped – largely as a result of a low incidence of empirical research, and in particular in South Africa. The current study explored the perceived sources of intergroup conflict in a South African mining company. The aim of this research is to investigate intergroup conflict and to look into how intergroup conflict influences employment relations throughout all levels of the organization. From a probability population of 1000 in the twelve departments a random sample of 200 employees was chosen to participate in the research. This number represents 20% of the total population. Intergroup conflict was analysed and evaluated. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made on the occurrence of intergroup conflict based on the findings of the literature and empirical study. Data frequencies, correlations and a correlation analysis were performed through the SPSS programme.
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Enkele aspekte van die bestuur van konflikhantering in die onderneming

- Oosthuizen, Rothea Patrica

Ontleding van konflikmanifestasie aan die hand van die katastrofe-konflikteorie

- Jacobs, Willem Jacobus

  • Authors: Jacobs, Willem Jacobus
  • Date: 2014-05-29
  • Subjects: Conflict management , Personnel management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:11227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10820
  • Description: M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) , The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship that might exist between conflict manifestation and conflict potential. A secondary aim was to determine whether conflict potential can be determined by the mere measurement of conflict manifestation. A comparative literature study of conflict manifestation is presented in order to facilitate the understanding of conflict potential and the relationship that might exist between the two dimensions. Eight companies and 2 091 workers in the Pretoria, Johannesburg and East Rand geographic areas were used as a test sample. The conflict catastrophe theory was used to determine the conflict potential in the various companies that were included in the test sample. A questionnaire, the conflict manifestation questionnaire, was developed to measure conflict behaviour in the sampled companies.
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Conflict management in post-merger further education and training colleges

- Bosch, Mark Nathan

  • Authors: Bosch, Mark Nathan
  • Date: 2014-07-28
  • Subjects: Conflict management , Universities and colleges - Mergers - South Africa
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:11908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11637
  • Description: D.Ed. (Educational Management) , The South African Higher Education landscape, after the democratic elections of 1994, saw various strategies being employed to effect significant change in the sector. As a result of political changes in South Africa in 1994, the Government of National Unity proposed that the higher education system should be reorganized to address past inequities. Subsequent investigations into restructuring the higher education system resulted in a wave of mergers across the sector. One mechanism of effecting such change was the merging of various higher education (HEls) institutions. The establishment of Ekurhuleni West College (EWC) for Further Education and Training (FET) in 2004 was the result of the merger between the following former six technical colleges: Alberton, Boksburg, Germiston, Kempton, Lazarus Nhlapo and Usizo to form EWC. The newly merged institution was characterised by problems such as poor communication, participative management, minimal staff involvement and fear of demotion or loss of jobs; this led to increased conflict at the newly merged institution.
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A conflict management model for a nursing service

- Langley, Louisa Catharina

  • Authors: Langley, Louisa Catharina
  • Date: 2015-02-09
  • Subjects: Nursing services - Administration , Conflict management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:13215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13241
  • Description: D.Cur. (Nursing) , The phenomenal political changes that have taken place in South Africa during the past three years have had a ripple effect on the health services of the country. Trade unionism, although they had been active in many spheres, entered the hospitals with great vengeance leaving many services crippled. Problems could not be solved according to the old, now obsolete rules of the game as these were no longer acceptable to the health care workers. New and different approaches had to be found to deal with this upheaval that was affecting patient care. The researcher realised that the nursing service manager, especially in the public sector, was in no way equipped to handle the crisis. Legal limitations aggravated the situation as there was no third party intervention that could try and find a solution to the dissatisfaction of the staff. The result was that the nursing service manager had to cope with the situation as best as she was able to, while still trying to manage the nursing care of the patients and the upheaval in the personnel corps. In addition to this, the nursing service manager, by enlarge, still had the viewpoint that conflict was a disturbing element that had to be removed. Limited studies have been done in the field and there were no guidelines to enlighten the nursing service manager. It became evident to the researcher that research into conflict management of a nursing service was necessary. Existing models and theories on conflict were reviewed to glean knowledge for the proposed study.
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Conflict management in projects

- Yusuf, Ajibola Sarafadeen

  • Authors: Yusuf, Ajibola Sarafadeen
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Conflict management , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/370513 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225246 , uj:22745
  • Description: Abstract: Projects encounter conflicts during execution. Conflicts are an unavoidable natural phenomenon which if timely identified ought to be effectively managed. Continuous monitoring of project signals pointing to the existence of distinct projects is essential. Delay in interventions of conflicts necessitates worst business scenario within organisations. This jeopardizes business useful time consequently resulting in delay relative to executing project activities. Avoiding delay in business time together with executing project activities is paramount in the set objectives of any project manager, organization or stakeholder. An essential determinant of productivity, efficiency, performance together with job contentment of any business establishment is conflict, acting as an independent variable of project behaviour. Investigating projects behaviour strategically necessitates a positive effect on dependent business variables. This is achievable by examining, understanding and having a comprehensive overview of individual elements of project behaviour, which is essential for the success of any project. This dissertation investigates how conflicts in projects can be effectively managed. Also identifying, examining, and analysing distinct causes and effects of conflicts together with numerous approaches conflicts manifest during project execution. Quantitative and qualitative investigation approach is adopted in collecting data. This dissertation data is collected from different software, mechanical design, construction inclusive of structural, roads and water projects .etc. Results illustrate high rate of conflicts is a major impediment to the success of any project. This dissertation outputs identified several types and causes of conflicts when executing a project. The dissertation concludes that issues relative to conflict management in projects have attained an optimal. Effective adoption of relevant strategies can no longer be ignored. Further conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions for future investigations are also presented. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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School violence directed towards educators in selected South African schools

- Abdulla, Tasneem Sheik

  • Authors: Abdulla, Tasneem Sheik
  • Date: 2013-09-17
  • Subjects: Teacher-student relationships , School violence , School discipline , School management and organization , Conflict management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8606
  • Description: M.Ed. (Educational Management) , The primary purpose of this research was to investigate teachers’ experiences and perceptions of school violence directed towards them by pupils in selected South African schools. Qualitative data was collected using the interpretive approach in a case study, which was applicable because it allowed the participants to reflect on their experience in their natural setting. I used semi-structured interviews and document analysis, comprising school reports, personal journals, and newspaper articles. The sample of the study consisted of two groups of educators from each of three selected schools in Gauteng. The findings show that the participant educators experience school violence as a multifaceted phenomenon and feel that the poor management and discipline in these schools has lead to low educator morale and deterioration in the school environment, which in turn prevents effective teaching and learning. The findings also suggested that school violence takes on many forms, ranging from physical to verbal to psychological abuse. They feel they are being forced to teach in an environment polluted with threats and fear, with a resultant rippling effect of feeling unsafe and unprotected. This culminates in many educators leaving the profession either to teach abroad or leaving the government sector to work in a private teaching sector where they hope for zero tolerance of school violence. Recommendations were made for an increased level of communication between the principal and School management team (SMT) on one hand, and the educators on the other, concerning how violent attacks against educators have been addressed. Educators feel that this means of communication does not have to be labour-intensive and can be done simply by email, text message or a note during a staff or morning meeting. The presence of a counsellor or psychologist on the school premises is recommended as it will assist learners in dealing with challenges such as family factors that encompass parental separation, unstable family background, social adversities and peer pressure. The scenario that arose from this study is that a school psychologist may also be of assistance to educators, able to impart skills on anger management and offer an avenue for educators to offload their experiences of learners’ deviant behaviour. Tightening of security is also emphasised. Since the school needs good leadership, principals have to be retrained in leading the school in the new South African education dispensation. The findings revealed that this may be one of the key factors in curbing or preventing school violence. The study therefore recommends that education policymakers, school leaders and managers, parents, educators, the community and the Department of education (DoE) all work in unison to improve the school climate in those schools that are prone to school violence. Teamwork is paramount, and seminars and workshops with all stakeholders was suggested to encourage this.
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Private disclosure : an investigation of mobile phone lateral surveillance in romantic relationships

- Ngcongo, Mthobeli

  • Authors: Ngcongo, Mthobeli
  • Date: 2014-10-22
  • Subjects: Cell phones - Social aspects , Cell phones - Romances , Interpersonal communication - Social aspects , Conflict management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12509
  • Description: M.A. (Fundamental Communication) , Communication technologies like the mobile phone often present a double-edged sword in romantic relationships. While the mobile phone can enhance communication, it can simultaneously present a source of conflict. But through the use of a rule-based system, romantic partners can minimise conflict. This study investigated mobile phone usage rules that are negotiated by adolescents and young adults in their romantic relationships and also how these rules have been perceived to affect the romantic relationship. Of particular focus were rules that pertained specifically to the management of personal privacy boundaries by partners through the appendage of the mobile phone. The dialectic framework of Communication Privacy Management presented a nuanced lens from which to investigate the surveillance dimension of mobile phone appropriation in romantic relationships. The rise of peer-to-peer monitoring offered a unique point of departure that makes understanding the manifestation of this form surveillance in romantic relationships relevant. Findings conducted from surveys and interviews indicate that the negotiation of rules for appropriate mobile phone rules is indeed crucial to not only minimising conflict in romantic relationships but also enhancing trust and respect in the dyad. So important were trust and harmony that partners are even willing to allow their implicit rules and understandings of privacy to be superseded by a pursuit for these relational qualities. In addition to this, partners preferred not to resolves relational arguments over the phone because of the impetuous and intrusive nature of the mobile phone persona. While some rules remained constant, the quantitative survey showed that rules were evolutionary in nature as the relationships grew. The subsequent qualitative interviews also confirmed this finding.
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Vrede en konflik : 'n konseptuele verkenning met spesiale verwysing na judisialisering as 'n konflikhanteringsmetode

- De Vries, Izak Daniel

Government mechanisms for resolving land conflict

- Sibanyoni, Mphikeleli Christopher

  • Authors: Sibanyoni, Mphikeleli Christopher
  • Date: 2012-09-06
  • Subjects: Land settlements - Government policy - South Africa , Land tenure - Government policy - South Africa , Land tenure - South Africa , Conflict management , Problem solving , Mediation
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:9698 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7111
  • Description: M.A. , This study analyses the government mechanisms for resolving conflict over land between white farmers and labour tenants in South Africa. Against the background of the evolvement of the institutions for resolution of conflict over land, the issues addressed include: problems experienced by the Land Claims Court with the Land Reform Act; acceptability of the Land Reform Act to farmers and labour tenants; and the use of the government institutions of conflict resolution by farmers and labour tenants. A literature analysis of both primary and secondary sources supplemented by interviews with individuals within the institutions of conflict resolution and land redistribution in KwaZulu- Natal and Mpumalanga form the basis of the research. The institution of conflict resolution came as a result of agreements that were reached at CODESA. The property and land reform clauses that were agreed upon during the negotiations served as the guidelines for the land reform policies, such as the Restitution of Land Rights Act of 1994, Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Act of 1996 and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act of 1997. However, labour tenants and farmers did make an input in the Green and White papers on Land Reform, which led to the establishment of the Land Claims Court. The Land Claims Court and magistrate's courts encountered problems in interpreting the Land Reform Act. The Courts are experiencing problems in interpreting the definition of a "labour tenant", particularly in paragraph (a), (b) and (c), and whether these paragraphs should be interpreted cumulatively or disjunctively. Although there is inconsistency in the interpretation of the Labour Tenants Act, the adjudicative bodies are largely becoming predictable in that conflicts are increasingly handled successfully. The bad draftsmanship is not the only problem regarding the Land Reform. Another problem experienced is the evictions of labour tenants. The evictions are attributed to capitalisation of agriculture, drought, fear and non-acceptance of the Land Reform Act. Although some farmers do not utilise the institutions of conflict resolution and disregard some of the clauses in the Act, farmers and labour tenants are nevertheless gradually beginning to accept land reform. Instead of using violent and illegal means, the conflicting parties are beginning to opt for peaceful means of resolving their disputes. The conflicts are submitted to institutions of conflict resolution, particularly the mediation institutions. The high cost involved in litigation and the likelihood of getting rights to land attribute to this development.
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Dispute-resolution processes in the Public Health and Social Development Sector Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC)

- Marule, Thabang Eniel

  • Authors: Marule, Thabang Eniel
  • Date: 2010-02-24T08:41:37Z
  • Subjects: South Africa Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration , South Africa Labour Relations Act (1995) , Dispute resolution (Law) , Conflict management , Industrial mediation and conciliation
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3041
  • Description: M.Comm. , With the adoption of the 1995 Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the creation of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), expectations ran high that the era of workplace conflict that had characterised previous labour dispensation would come to an end. The reality, however, is that parties have abdicated their responsibility in dispute-resolution, and have transferred this responsibility to the CCMA and Bargaining Councils. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions of users of the current model with regard to its effectiveness, flaws and challenges. Based on the data received, this study presents a case for a new approach to discouraging disputes from being taken beyond the level of the workplace. The following research questions were formulated: Given the prevailing lack of ownership by parties over dispute-resolution and the resultant rise in case load and costs, what alternative strategies could be adopted? With the introduction of such new strategies, what dispute resolution model would be appropriate to enable the parties to focus on the core issues and also reduce costs? These questions are based on the set of main problems and sub-problems. The main problems are the low dispute-resolution/settlement rate (the conciliation stage being a mere formality), even when arbitration takes place; and the lack of ownership for dispute prevention by line managers and organised labour. In collecting data I followed the triangulation approach which combined both qualitative and quantitative research. During the qualitative stage, I collected data by using unstructured interviews and audio-recording the interviews with the Secretary of the PHSDSBC. I used quantitative methods to distribute participants’ agenda points and to record the numbers returned. The same method was used to analyse the patterns and themes emerging from data collected. Forty-nine negotiators, shop stewards, human resource managers across the nine provinces, and staff in the office of the Secretary of the PHSDSBC, were selected. Because participants in the study were distributed over a wide area, my level of physical contact with them was restricted to the normal business schedules of the Bargaining Council, during teambuilding exercises, and during Employer Caucus meetings. As a participant in these meetings, I was able to adopt an auto-ethnographic stance. I analysed the data, using graphical depictions, and categorised it into thoughts and later into themes. The findings indicate that the current dispute-resolution system model, being reactive in its application, is time-consuming for the both employee and the employer.
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Customer retention through customer relationship management : the exploration of two-way communication and conflict handling

- Roberts-Lombard, Mornay

  • Authors: Roberts-Lombard, Mornay
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Customer relationship management , CRM , Conflict management , Customer retention , Two-way communication , Short-term insurance industry - South Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5866 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7963
  • Description: Organisations such as banks and short-term insurance organisations become more aware of the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) and its potential to help them acquire new customers, retain existing ones and maximise their lifetime value. A close relationship with customers will require a strong coordination between information technology (IT) and marketing departments to provide a long-term retention of selected customers. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of selected independent variables, two-way communication and conflict handling on intentional customer loyalty via CRM as the intervening variable at a South African shortterm insurance organisation. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire, with items referring to CRM, customer loyalty, two-way communication and conflict handling. The sample consisted of 254 customers in four major centres in South Africa. Data were factor-analysed. One independent variable, conflict handling exerted a statistically significant positive influence on the intervening variable (CRM), while two-way communication exerted a statistically significant negative influence on the intervening variable (CRM). The intervening variable (CRM) positively influenced the dependent variable (Customer Loyalty). If short-term insurance organisations communicate timeously and accurately, and are skilled in conflict handling, greater loyalty will be created among customers.
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Evaluering van 'n maatskaplike-opvoedkundigeprogram vir geskeide ouers

- Cloete, Estelle

  • Authors: Cloete, Estelle
  • Date: 2008-10-17T13:10:34Z
  • Subjects: Family social work , Divorce counseling , Children of divorced parents , Conflict management , Family life education
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12516 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1230
  • Description: M.A. , South Africa has an exceptionally high divorce rate. The stressful nature of parental separation and divorce results in higher susceptibility of children to psychological, social, academical and health problems. Parental ability to deal with the divorce transition largely influences the long term adjustment of children after divorce. An effective empirically researched based parentfocused educational programme which addresses the most essential divorce related issues and the effects thereof on children, can be of exceptional value. Supplying parents with sufficient knowledge and information regarding divorce as a process, as well as the way it effects children of different ages en developmental stages, will assist the parents in making better choices concerning the children. By educating parents about the effect of prolonged interparental conflict on children and by supplying them with constructive conflict management skills, the negative consequences of divorce on children may be minimised or even eliminated. In this study an educational programme (k.i.d.s.) was assessed by using a one group pretest- postest design. K.i.d.s. is a short, informative and user friendly educational programme. It comprises two, two hour sessions, scheduled two weeks apart. Statistical significance was achieved when pretest-posttest results were compared regarding knowledge on conflict and the divorce process. Participants also reported a significant decline regarding negative conflict behaviour. An overall high level of consumer satisfaction with the program was reported. Despite the small study sample, the positive results of this study proves the k.i.d.s. program to be a potential promising preventative and intervention method for use with divorcing parents. , Mrs. H.F. Ellis
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Conflict management in outsourced engineering projects in South Africa

- Mdontsane, Bulali

  • Authors: Mdontsane, Bulali
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Engineering - Management , Project management , Conflict management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/263100 , uj:27807
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate conflict management in engineering projects in South Africa. Improved management of project failure is possible if the relationship between conflict management and project success is known. Organizations turn to project management to unlock opportunities and fulfil strategic objectives. This study provides a framework to address and manage conflict in outsourced engineering projects for the benefit of organizations and engineering professionals who are involved in projects. The constructs of Conflict Management and Project Success were delineated and analysed with structural equation modelling in SPSS. The statistical analysis confirmed that effective conflict management positively impacts project success.
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