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2015/2016  BA-BEOKV1006U  Conflict Management in the Workplace

English Title
Conflict Management in the Workplace

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 35
Study board
Study Board for BA in English and Organisational Communication
Course coordinator
  • Lisbet Pals Svendsen - Department of International Business Communication (IBC)
Hovedunderviser: Bettina Buchholtz
Main academic disciplines
  • Human resource management
  • Communication
  • Language
Last updated on 17-02-2015
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • understand and present a given conflict and the elements and steps that led to it.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between personal values and cultural differences in the conflict
  • apply conflict resolution theory to conflict analysis and solving.
  • devise a solution that includes both the personal aspects of the parties involved in the conflict and possible structural causes arising from the organization of work, management, etc.
Course prerequisites
Students must be independent users of English. They must be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity and must be able to understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
Examination
Oral group examination, 20 minutes pr group member:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Group exam, max. 3 students in the group
Group exam with synopsis.
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Front page, list of content, references and appendices are not part of the total page count.
Assignment type Synopsis
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter and Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Same case will be used for both regular and make-up exams, but questions for make-up exams will be new. It is therefore required of students that they write a new synopsis before they can be admitted to the make-up exam.
Students grades will reflect an overall assesment of the synopsis and oral performance.
Description of the exam procedure

The synopsis should present a brief answer to the questions asked in the case. Students are free to use the course compendium and any other sources which may be relevant in their answer. A list of references must be included. 
The oral exam is a group exam. This means that a group of three students will be examined at the same time. The group will arrange a presentation of around 15 minutes, followed by a subsequent 30 minutes discussion of the group's findings and an examination in the course theory. The examiners will then discuss grades, and individual grades will be given. Performance assessment will be based on an overall impression of the synopsis and the oral presentation.
Course content and structure

Each session will start with a presentation and discussion of the theoretical material prepared for the week in question; presentations may be done either by lecturer or student groups.
During the course students will also work with short cases, role-plays and more comprehensive workshop-cases with subsequent presentations.
Teaching methods
Emphasis on practical approach and active student participation through groupwork, presentations and class discussion.
Short lectures, case based analysis, presentation and discussion, role plays.
Further Information

Changes in course schedule may occur.
Wednesday 12.35-15.10, week 37-41, 43-44,46.
Expected literature

Trompenaars, Fons and Hampden-Turner, Charles: managing people across cultures (2004)

Lewis, Richard D: When Cultures Collide – Managing Successfully Across Cultures (1997)

Champoux, Joseph E: Organizational Behaviour – Integrating Individuals, Groups and Processes (1997)

Hargie, Owen, Dickson, David and Tourish, Dennis: Communication skills for effective management (2004)

Monberg, Tina: Handbook of Human Conflict Technology – How to create win-win business success without destructive conflicts (2007)

Taylor, Mullen: Informal Conflict Resolution: a Workplace Case Study (2004)

Jeffrey, mq: high context vs. low context communication (article)

Tough Times Tough Talk – a guide to working life conflicts (Center for Effective Dispute Resolution, 2010)

Additional articles etc. will be stated in the course plan
Last updated on 17-02-2015