CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Industrial conflicts in organizations are inevitable. For employees to perform their crucial roles effectively and efficiently there must exist a strong cordial relationship between the employees and employers in the organizations. Industrial conflict is an everyday phenomenon in each in each organization. There is a growing recognition of the importance of conflict management in an organization. A recent survey indicated that mangers spend a considerable portion of their time dealing with conflict and that conflict management becomes increasingly important to their effectiveness. (Obasin,  2011).
Onyeonoru (2005), defined industrial conflict as all expression of dissatisfaction within the employment relationship especially those pertaining to the employment contract and effort bargaining. Industrial conflict are viewed as the clash of interest and resulting dispute of varying intensity between individuals, groups and organizations in the industrial relation system(Akanji, 2005). Azamosa (2005) observed that conflicts involve the total range of behaviors and attitudes that is in opposition between owners/managers on the one hand and employees on the other hand. It is a state of disagreement over issues of substance or emotional antagonism and may arise due to anger, mistrust or personality clashes. Irrespective of the factors resulting in conflict, it has been observed that industrial conflicts produce considerable effects on organizations and should be consciously managed as much as possible. Obisi (1996) argues that despite this fact, peace forms one of the fundamental factors to enhanced productivity with resultant benefits to both the labour and management as well as for the economic development of the country. It will not be out of place therefore to consider industrial conflict as an inevitable and desirable factor in the work place.
Because of the wide range of potential difference among people, the absence of conflict usually signals the absence of meaningful interactions. Conflict by itself is neither good nor bad. However, the manner in which conflict is managed determines whether it is constructive or destructive (Deutsch and Coleman, 20000. Thus conflict remains the most permanent feature that makes humanity convinced that growth and development are predicated on conflicts. Though conflict is generally perceived as something devastating, abnormal, dysfunctional and detestable, yet it could be a precursor of positive change if constructively handled (Edward, 200).
Conflict management suggests solving conflict instead of reducing, eliminating or limiting their durations. This means each organization should have a macro strategy, reducing the negative consequence of conflict (Gonan Bozac et al (2008). Conflict management implies integration of all factors which can contribute to conflict resolution or its prevention. These factors are improvement of communication and practicing discipline in the organization as well as having in mind the life phases of parties involved. Furthermore, conflict management according to Hellriegel and Slocum (1996), consists of the intervention designed to reduce conflict or in some instances to increase insufficient conflict. It is a process whereby managers design plans and implement policies and procedures to ensure that conflict situations are resolved effectively.
Inappropriately managed conflicts may result in abandonment of employees and disinclination on their part to contribute in other groups or assist with various groups or assist with various group actions activities in the work place. Hence, conflict management has the ability to handle conflict efficiently. Conflict handling refers to the methods used by any one or mutual groups in dealing with conflict (Gordon, 2003).
The development of this research work is largely due to the inability of leaders in Nigerian work organizations (Ministry of Economic Planning Asaba, Delta State) to view the management of industrial conflict as systematically as they view information, human resource and financial management system. Instead conflict is viewed and handled in piece meal and is considered a local event. The inability to view and manage work place conflict systematically has therefore rendered conflict dysfunctional in some organization. This is evident by high frequency of strike action, unhealthy rivalry between and among sub-units and individuals within an organization, sabotage of workplace, slow work, labour turnover, absenteeism, lack of productivity, withholding of vital information or knowledge and host of others that are being perpetrated by employees at the work place.
Hotepo et al (2010), argued strongly that effective conflict management is fueled by finding appropriate strategies to resolve the nature and causes of conflict diagnosed in an organization. The strategies to be adopted must vary according to the nature and causes of conflict. Conflict management influences individuals’ wellbeing, group performance and organizational effectiveness. However, this research work examines the impact of industrial conflict management on employees’ performance at the work place.