Personal Conflict: How Do University Teachers Deal with It?
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Abstract
Personal conflicts among teachers do not only affect their physical and mental health but also their working performance. If managed carefully, the teamwork can be functioning effectively. If not, it might lead to frustration, resignation or even crimes. This study examined the conflicts the university teachers have experienced and their chosen conflict management styles using Thomas-Kilmann Model for interpretation and reflections. Five teachers, selected by purposive sampling, from two governmental universities provided their personal reflections in a set of in-depth interviews. Their reflections were studied with descriptive analysis together with documentation on theories and strategies dealing with personal conflicts. The results showed that three of them who used various strategies are still holding on the job and progressing professionally while the other two, with limited strategies, chose to leave. Most of them adopted Avoiding style and still carried the pain even if the conflicts were subsided or ended already. It is suggested that the teachers adopt various conflict management strategies to deal with the problems. The university management above the program level should also impose systematic measurements for the prevention and solution to the personal conflicts.
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