CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND EMPLOYEES

Abstract

In today’s competitive business environment, organizations are increasinglyconcerned with the need to manage conflicts effectively in order to enhance employeeperformance. This is because when conflicts are not quickly managed and resolved theyinvariably negatively affect the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. Conflictmanagement training therefore, equips employees and managements with the required skillsto address and resolve conflicts constructively. The study therefore examined the impact ofconflict management training on employee performance at the Nigerian Bottling Company(NBC) PLC, Asejire Plant in Oyo State, South/West, Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional survey technique to generate data from employee and managers to determine thelinks between conflict management training and improved employee performance. Samplesizes of 294 respondents were selected via a Raosoft calculator from a population of 1246employees. A structured questionnaire was used to generate primary data from theparticipants. The data were analysed via multiple regression analysis, to determine therelationship between conflict management training and employee performance. The resultsrevealed that well- planned conflict management training programs with a wide range oftraining content frequent training programs and innovative training approaches are all likelyto positively improve employee performance and enhance collaboration betweenmanagement and employees. The results also show that well-planned management trainingprograms reduce workplace tension by fostering a conducive and highly productive workenvironment. The study concluded that conflict management training is a vital component oforganizational development that can significantly impact employee performance. Byequipping employees with the ability to manage conflicts effectively, organizations canenhance workplace harmony and improve overall performance. The study recommends that,organizations should ensure that conflict management training content directly aligns with thespecific needs and challenges of employees, which may trigger conflict.