IT Analytics

Author - Andriy Andrukhiv, Master of Science
Although, this material refers to the series of educational materials, to consider it as educational in full extent is not worthy. A news release was the reason of this material writing. In that release political conflicts appeared, and no one knew how they should be solved.
In the literature several definitions of the conflict notion are introduced, but in my opinion, the most universal can be the following:
The conflict (of both sides) is a situation when the actions of one side affect the result of the second and this influence decreases the value of the second part.
In the case when the first side does not affect the actions of another one, it is believed that second side is independent from the first. These relationships are not always symmetrical. When this situation occurs, one of the sides get more benefit or suffer lower costs, exploiting the other side.
The classic example could be relationships between the chief and subordinate, when one side tries to cooperate and the other is in the conflict.
When the conflict has defined limits then term competition is introduced.
If the competition involves two or more parties and they are in conflict with each other concerning one or several aims of each party, than this conflict can serve for aims achievement of each of the conflicting parties or any third party.
For example, when the companies compete among themselves, the users of their products benefit, because they can get a lower price for the product, better service etc.
When playing chess, players compete among themselves. But this conflict is effectively used to achieve other objectives - to enjoy the game and relax.
There are three ways to the conflict resolving: solution, settlement and destruction. Solving of the conflict, in which one of the parties is involved, regardless of whether it is competing or not, means the acceptance of the conditions that generate conflict and attempts to achieve the aims of this party, regardless of what it would cost.
This condition can be achieved in two ways - using or not using of force.
In combat actions (the conflict resolving by force) one party is trying to displace, destroy and weaken the other. Fighting can be stopped when one side will be subjected to another (accept any conditions) or the third stronger party will intervene.
The conflict settlement signifies acceptance of the conditions that generate conflict, search of such terms that would satisfy conflict participants.
The condition of conflict solution will be achieved when the distribution of profits and losses will be fair.
In such cases, you must give something in order to get something.
To remove the conflict means to change the generative condition so that the conflict becomes exhausted. You can achieve it with the help of the situation or conflict parties change.
Some conflicts can be resolved after interference into the conflict existence environment. For example, when one person wants to sleep and that means that light must be turned off, and the other person in the same room wants to read. The conflict can be solved by construction of partition.
Or when there are two children which want to play with one toy. You can give another toy or interest in anything else.
Nowadays the most common approach to the conflict resolving is based on strength and power. And it is quite natural, because people always want to get everything immediately.
Supporters of such strategy do not think of the risks and costs, which should be paid for such a choice. An example can be forced products price reduction, without previous analysis. Well-known is situation with the governmental bread and gasoline prices reductions. Everyone knows that it did not come for good. In general, three basic types of strategies that are based on power, rights and interests can be distinguished. The first approach was briefly described above. The legal approach is less risky, in comparison with the previous one, but it is often associated with large costs. The key idea is the involvement of the third party for conflict resolving. For example, the judicial systems or arbitration procedures.
However, the most common approach is the approach oriented on the interests. It is the cheapest and least risky, because in the case of failure, you can always use another method. The approach is not universal and requires certain knowledge. An important component for the conflict resolving is the sincerity of intentions.
So, in practice, it should be understood that the conflict is a form of interaction, which has both positive and negative qualities. The main causes that generate conflict is a vague structure of the conflicting parties, blurred actions, the desire to get more than it is need and many others, which depend on the subject area, where the conflict appeared.