Common Causes of Conflict

What creates conflict? The short answer is that conflict can be caused by anything that leads to a disagreement. Conflict is a disagreement that arises when two or more parties perceive a threat to their interests, needs, or concerns.

Task conflict is a disagreement about the task or goals. Process conflict reflects conflict about how to accomplish a task, who is responsible for what, or how things should be delegated. Role ambiguity increases process conflict. Interpersonal differences are a common trigger of relationship conflict, which is the result of incompatibility or differences between individuals or groups.

The availability and allocation of scarce resources is a major source of conflict in organizations. Change also causes conflict. Values conflicts can arise when people or groups have different values or a different understanding of the world. Poor communication increases uncertainty, and can thus increase the potential for conflict. When one person or unit is dependent on another for resources or information, the potential for conflict increases.

Understanding conflict is critical to managing conflict in organizations.