Management of Competition, Conflict and Dispute

MANAGEMENT OF COMPETITION, CONFLICT AND DISPUTE

by Antonio C. Antonio

March 2, 2015

Mother Earth is traditionally been regarded as a finite resource.  The universe, as an expanding entity, could be considered mythical but scientist say it is a fact.  But Mother Earth is also not included in such expansion.  The limitation of resources inevitably creates competition, conflict and dispute.

Let’s describe and differentiate competition, conflict and dispute. Competition is the rivalry among organisms, animals, individuals and groups trying to achieve such goals as control and additional share of resources.  Resources, in this light, could come in the form of territory, a niche, prestige, recognition, awards, social status, and even leadership.  Competition occurs naturally between living organisms co-existing in the same environment.  Conflict, on the other hand, is the inherent incompatibility between the objectives of two or more characters or forces.  Conflict creates tension and interest in a story by adding doubt as to the outcome.  Dispute may seem synonymous to conflict but, to be more specific, the term dispute means: (a) to engage in argument or debate; (b) to argue vehemently; (c) to wrangle or quarrel; (d) to discuss against; (e) to verbally contest or oppose; and, (f) to state differences of opinions in a controversy.

Conflict and dispute are basically caused by individual and group differences and backgrounds.  According to psychologist Art Bell and Brett Hart, there are eight common causes of conflict.  These are: (1) conflicting resources; (2) conflicting styles; (3) conflicting perceptions; (4) conflicting goals; (5) conflicting pressures; (6) conflicting roles; (7) conflicting personal values; and, (8) conflicting policies.  (http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/eight-causes-conflict.htm)  There are more deep-rooted differences that are often reconcilable such as religion, culture and traditions as in the political conflict case of Muslim Mindanao in the Philippines.  On the other hand, the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) conflict case is anchored on extreme ideological beliefs.

“Dispute or conflict management is a derived social process that has developed from the basic process of conflict.  Acculturation and assimilation are derived social processes that grew from the basic process of cooperation.” (“Cultures and Societies in Typical Forest Ecosystems”, Daylinda Banzon-Cabanilla, 2002)  In a situation where resources are plentiful, these social processes rarely exist in the uplands.  However, when resources are scarce, conflicts and disputes occur.

Competition, conflicts and disputes in the upland environment are more often neither ideological nor political… but the inequitable distribution of resources among stakeholders.  Striking a balanced distribution of such resources in the uplands is the perfect formula to the management of competition, conflict and disputes.

Just my little thoughts…

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