NCJ Number
9430
Date Published
1972
Length
248 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK PROVIDES MANAGERS, BE THEY POLICE CHIEFS OR BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, WITH A BROAD PERSPECTIVE ON THE CAUSES, UTILITY, AND HANDLING OF DISSENT.
Abstract
THE WORD 'CONFRONTATION' OFTEN CALLS TO MIND A POTENTIALLY VIOLENT SCENE INVOLVING ANGRY GROUPS OF PEOPLE. BUT CONFRONTATIONS CAN OCCUR IN ANY SITUATION IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS CANNOT RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES. THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT THAT DISAGREEMENT AMONG PEOPLE IS A NORMAL EVENT AND OFTEN RESULTS IN NEEDED CHANGE WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION OR SOCIETY. HOWEVER, DISAGREEMENTS CAN BECOME UNMANAGEABLE IF THE TWO SIDES CANNOT (OR ARE NOT WILLING TO) COMMUNICATE AND COMPROMISE. THE LEADERS FOR EACH SIDE MUST BE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS INTEGRITY, HONESTY AND A RECEPTION OF DIVERGENT VIEWPOINTS MUST BE SHARED BY LEADERS OF BOTH FACTIONS. TO ILLUSTRATE THE MANY FACTORS WHICH LEAD TO CONFRONTATIONS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR RESOLUTION, THE AUTHOR PRESENTS A CASE STUDY INVOLVING UNIONIZATION OF A MANUFACTURING PLANT. WHILE THE ARENA IS MANAGEMENT-LABOR, USEFUL PARALLELS WITH OTHER AREAS WILL BE APPARENT TO THE MANAGER WHO MUST DEAL WITH DISSENT. (SNI ABSTRACT)