ABSTRACT

The effect of effective conflict management on employee performance in selected tertiary institutions with special preference to Ahia State University, Uturu and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike was examined. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the effects of conflict management on employees' morale in ABSU and MOUA U, to identify the causative factors of conflict in ABSU and MOUA U, to examine the types of conflict prevalent in the two institutions and to assess the conflict management strategies adopted in the institutions. Data for this project was collected using a stratified sampling technique and the sampling size of the population was derived using Yaro Yamane's formula which gave a sample size of 381. Data was collected with a well-structured questionnaire and was analyzed using percentage technique and Pearson correlation techniques with the aid of Statistical tools for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) at 0.05 level of significance was used to test the hypotheses. The results of the study therefore reveal that there is significant and positive effect of conflict management on employees' morale in Ahia State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. The study also showed that there are relevant causative factors of conflict in ABSU and MOUA U. More so, the findings of the study revealed that there are prevalent type of conflict in ABSU and MOUA U. Finally, the findings of the study attested that there is significant and positive conflict management strategies adopted by the institutions. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the organizations should embark on training and retraining of its employees in area of conflict management so as to create a conducive working environment for the employees. The study further recommended that there should be efficient and effective communication between and among all categories of the employees the organization. This will reduce conflict situations in the organization.