ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the phenomenon of organizational conflict at multiple levels and across the breadth of theoretical perspectives on organizational communication. The chapter describes conflict that occurs in the interaction of dyads (such as between coworkers or a supervisor–supervisee relationship), in communication both within and between groups (which might be departments, work teams, or professional or demographic identity groups), in communication that takes place between organizations (such as conflict between a corporation and environmental group), and in terms of alternative dispute resolution, or institutional-level conflict management systems. This review emphasizes the communication spiral in terms of how employee and management approaches to conflict communication influence future interaction, organizational relationships, and the co-construction of organizational culture. Research included in this chapter covers traditional or functional, cultural interpretive, and critical research perspectives.
