The management of conflicting roles between the core and support clusters within statistics South Africa

Abstract

Conflict within organisations is inevitable and a necessity for an organisation to continuously review its responsiveness to its clients’ needs. However, conflict left unmanaged can have disastrous consequences for the organisation, its employees and its clients. This study is investigating the sources which contribute to conflicting management roles between the core and support branches within Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Stats SA comprises eight branches divided into the core and support branches. The research methodology for this study is qualitative, with Stats SA as a single case study. Using two levels of purposive sampling, one core branch and one support branch were selected for the study. Within each branch a total of twenty respondents from the senior management level were interviewed. Empirical data collection was further supported by a comprehensive literature review focusing on identifying the causes of intergroup conflict and the different conflict management styles applicable to various conflict situations. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The results of the study indicate that Stats SA does not have a formal conflict management strategy and conflict is handled in a spasmodic manner. Respondents identified the urgent need for a review of the current organisational culture, particularly in areas of governance and administration. The respondents are unanimous on the role which communication between management structures plays in either escalating or managing conflicting roles between the branches. The key recommendations focus on the involvement of Stats SA’s senior management leadership in creating a conducive working environment and adopting a conflict management strategy based on the Process Model for conflict management. The conclusion of the study indicates that the management of conflicting roles between the core and support branches can only be addressed through collective leadership and ensuring the implementation of the proposed Stats SA conflict management strategy.