Organizational Behavior

Abrorjon (Abi) Obidjanov                        Student ID: 14012648

Case write-up number 9-10

1. Identify the different conflict episodes that exist in this case. Who was in conflict with whom?

As it is written in this case there are several conflict episodes that we can identify.

First, the conflict concerned with fistfight between the cosmonauts that left blood splatted on the chamber walls. Second is Russian commander’s attempt to kiss Lapierre aggressively two times and not to admit it was wrong. Consequently, the international crew had a conflict with Russian cosmonauts and they complained to Moscow’s Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP).  

1. What are the sources or causes of each manifest conflict incident in this case?

According to the text book there are several sources of conflict in a certain organization. Six main conditions that cause conflict in organizations are incompatible goals, differentiation, interdependence, scarce resources, ambiguous rules, and communication problems. In this case between these two organizations that generally didn’t get along, harassment factor in the workplace, more specifically, sexual harassment may cause different conflicts among employees because some companies don’t have strong harassment policies. As well as this, differentiation factor may cause different problems issues among employees. Generally, it occurs between younger and older employees who have different needs, different expectations, different perspectives, somewhat different values. In think in this case different mentality, characteristics resulted to conflict.

1. What conflict management styles did Lapierre, the international team and Gushin use to resolve these conflicts? What styles would have worked best in these situations.

As we know there are 5 different conflict handling styles: Problem solving, Forcing, Avoiding, Yielding and Compromising.

In my opinion, Lapierre tried to use forcing method which have a win-lose orientation for her benefit. Perhaps, she expected that IBMP solve this conflict by giving a certain punishment or restriction to their Russian cosmonauts accept their faults and give an excuse for this violence or unmannerly and unacceptable behavior. International team complained to IBMP about the uncultured behavior of Russian cosmonauts. They expected at least Problem solving method that have a win-win orientation. They will find a mutually beneficial solution to their disagreement. However, IBMP replied by avoiding structure that refers trying to smooth the situation by not involving in. Both parties should solve the issue internally without asking outside help. When it comes to Gushin attitude towards this conflict, it is quite complicated. He tried to solve the problem by protecting themselves and make the situation smooth by saying “in our culture kissing co-workers is nothing.” By his viewpoint we can conclude that he tried to avoid solving the conflict. I think in these situations Russian cosmonauts are guilty and IBMP and Gushin who is the in charge of the project should solve the conflict by forcing method. Sexual harassment issues should be solved promptly and effective ways. First, victims or harmed side should be satisfied no matter how it effect to oppressors. It is more relevant to win-lose orientation.