A Detailed Analysis of Bob Iger's Management Impact to Disney Corporation

Conflict is defined as an occurring misunderstanding or disagreement in a social situation that surfaces when the goals, interests, objectives, culture, values of different individuals or groups are incompatible thus resulting in those individuals or groups block or hinder each other’s attempts to achieve their objectives. In the workplace scenario, conflict can also occur due to the state different level of power/dominance and status, task dependencies (relevance to job dependencies between workers), ambiguity of task instructed and scarcity of resources. The forms of conflict between individuals or group can later be categorized further into inter-personal conflict (between two or more individuals), inter-group conflict (between groups), intra-group conflict (between group members) and inter-organizational conflict (between organizations). Based on the forms of conflicts, conflicts perspective can be further segmented to functional conflict (positive outcome) and dysfunctional conflict (destructive outcome).

Based on the case study presented, I firmly believe that the conflict between Michael Eisner and the Weinstein brothers, the two Board members (Disney and Gold), and Steve Jobs to be a dysfunctional conflict. This is because Eisner’s conflict with the mentioned stakeholders has the clear characteristic of a dysfunctional conflict between individuals. This is apparent in terms of the existed fiery relationship between Eisner and the mentioned stakeholders which resulted in the Disney Company having a management under turmoil condition. Partly, this is attributed to Eisner’s management style which is abrasive with strong tendency towards micromanagement. In focus to the Eisner’s conflict with the Weinstein brothers (founders of MIRAMAX films), Eisner had arguments with them in regards to the financial details in relation to Disney’s acquisition of MIRAMAX films. This resulted in a strain and combative relationship between the Weinstein Brothers and Eisner.

To make matters worse, Eisner’s outspoken damaging comments about Apple Computers in a testimony in front of the US Congress about movie piracy escalated further the dysfunctional conflict condition in the Disney Company by involving Steve Jobs (who is back then the CEO of Apple Computers). As a repercussion of Eisner’s negative comments, Steve Jobs took it as a personal insult and threatened to discontinue the lucrative Disney-Pixar partnership after the release of Cars in 2006 should Eisner continue to be Disney’s CEO. This would be most damaging