Conflict at work stems from employees’ petty, childlike behaviour and their inability to understand the necessary decisions that manager’s make for the good of the whole organization. Critically discuss this statement, drawing upon course readings that engage with the issue of employee resistance.

Introduction

In the following essay I am going to argue that conflict at work stems from managers decisions to control and dominate the lives of its employees, as it misuses the power relationship in an attempt to enhance its control. I will discuss the article by (Prasad and Prasad 2000), (Clegg, Kornberger and Pitsis 2008) and (Knights and Roberts 1982) to demonstrate this point. I also argue that conflict stems from attempts by employees to counteract the domination of basic human qualities such as feelings and emotions as they act in an attempt to restore dignity within their lives. I will do this with reference to texts by (Cohen and Taylor 1992), (Prasad and Prasad 2000), (Knights and Collinson 1987) and (Roberts 1984). As organisations are clearly places of domination I argue the importance of conflict within society to inhibit organisations exploiting and manipulating its employees and society at large. For this argument I will use texts by (Morgan 2006), (Baken 2004), (Rothschild and Miethe 1994) and (Blau 1963). Through the use of (Milgrams 1974) text I will argue the detrimental effects of obedience, with reference to the Nazi occupation of Europe, and thus the need for conflict within organisations to stop such atrocities occurring again. Due to the unrealistic expectations that organisations impose on employees including required dedication and complete submission to the organisation, I argue that conflict stems from this expectation by organisations that employees will completely surrender oneself to the demands of managers. To demonstrate this point I