Conflict Management in Selected Graphic Design Houses in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Conflict is an evitable human phenomenon which cannot be eliminated completely. This is because human beings are interactive creatures coming from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds.   The understanding and interpretation of issues will differ, which will lead to disagreements from time to time. Traditionally, conflict was regarded as negative and should be eliminated; interestingly, some form of conflict is needed for change to occur. Graphic Design houses in Accra (Ghana), as human institutions are bound to have conflicts. The question therefore is how are these conflicts managed? The study therefore sought to find out the perception of conflict in the selected graphic design houses and the conflict management approaches used in managing conflicts in the design houses. The study also examined the effect of perception, emotion, and communication on conflict as well as its management focusing on five ways of handling conflict based on Blake and Moutons (1964) dual concern model for managing conflict. The study revealed that the selected design houses were aware of existing conflict management styles and acknowledged the proper management of conflict impacted on the wealth of the design house. They also acknowledged perception, emotions and communication were variables that could influence the course of a conflict situation which may affect the outcome of the conflict.