Conflict Management in Tertiary Institutions in Benue State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Conflict in tertiary institutions in Benue State, Nigeria has become a thing of concern for administrators, staff (academic or non academic), scholars, parents and researchers. This study was designed to investigate conflict management in tertiary institutions in Benue State, Nigeria.
The study was prompted by the series of conflicts in tertiary institutions in Benue State which have dampened the morale of administrators, staff (academic and non academic) as well as affected their productivity. The study employed descriptive research design.
The population of the study was 2,130 made up staff (academic and non academic), principal officers in tertiary institutions in Benue State Nigeria. A sample of 10% which is 213 was carried out.
A four-point scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), disagree (D) and Strongly disagree (SD) were used to answer the six research questions and six hypothesis formulated.
In order to establish the reliability of the instrument, Cronbach alpha procedure for testing reliability was used and stood at 82, 67, 93, and 93 respectively while the overall was 96. Mean and standard deviation were used in data analysis and to answer the research questions.
The t-test analysis at 0.05 level of significance was used to test the null hypothesis. The major findings of the study were that: keeping staff and students uninformed about institutional policy, poor human relationship between administrators and community, constitute major cause of conflict.
The finding also includes among others that, destruction of public and school properties, riots, are natures of conflict manifestations. Major recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.
On school administration, administrators should ensure effective communication among staff and students as this will help them improve on their performance among staff and students as this will help them improve on their performance as well as keep them abreast with issues in management.
It is also recommended that in resolving conflict, administrators should involve all parties in discussion and how to resolve the crisis when it occurs. Also administrators should maintain adequate provision of hostel accommodation and provide facilities.
Principal Officers should ensure free flow of communication and good welfare scheme for all staff so as to prevent conflict. On the current strategies students should be detained in police custody, expel and make them pay reparation fee among others.
To resolve conflict, get each side to concede to some demands, and provide an excellent reward programme while people are paid fairly and equitably with bonuses for outstanding performances.
Other recommendations are dialogue with students union executive (3.41 + 0.65), academic and non academic (3.36 + 0.54) respectively.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page: …………………………………………………. i
Approval Page: ……………………………………………… ii
Certification Page: ………………………………………….. iii
Dedication: …………………………………………………. iv
Acknowledgements: ……………………………………….. v
Table of Contents: …………………………………………. vi
List of Tables: ……………………………………………… ix
Abstract: ……………………………………………………. x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study: ………………………………….. 1
Statement of the Problem: …………………………………. 6
Purpose of the Study: ……………………………………… 7
Significance of the Study: …………………………………. 8
Scope of the Study: ………………………………………… 11
Research Questions: ………………………………………. 11
Hypothesis: ……………………………………………….. 11
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework: ………………………………….. 13
Concept of conflict: ………………………………………. 13
Types and forms of Conflict: …………………………….. 15
Concept of Management: ………………………………… 20
Concept of conflict resolution: …………………………… 23
Causes of Conflict: ……………………………………….. 24
Conflict in Tertiary Institutions: …………………………. 33
Impact of Conflict on Administration in Tertiary Institutions
In Benue State: ……………………………………………. 47
Concept of Conflict Resolution Strategy: ……………….. 48
The Role of Administrators in Tertiary Institution: ………. 54
Theoretical Framework: ………………………………….. 56
Theory of conflict resolution: ……………………………. 61
Review of Empirical Studies: ……………………………. 62
Summary of Literature Review: …………………………. 65
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Design of the study: ……………………………………… 67
Area of the study: ………………………………………… 67
Population of the study: …………………………………. 67
Sample and sampling: …………………………………….. 68
Instrument for data collection: ……………………………. 68
Validation of the instrument: ……………………………… 69
Reliability of the instrument: ……………………………… 69
Method of data collection: ………………………………… 69
Method of data analysis: ………………………………….. 70
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT OF THE STUDY
Research question one: ……………………………………. 71
Hypotheses one: ………………………………………………. 73
Research question two: …………………………………….. 76
Hypotheses two: ……………………………………………… 78
Research question three: ……………………………………. 80
Hypotheses three: ………………………………………………. 83
Research question four: ……………………………………. 86
Hypotheses four: ………………………………………………… 88
Research question five: ……………………………………. 90
Hypotheses five: ……………………………………………….. 92
Research question six: ……………………………………… 94
Hypotheses six: ………………………………………………… 97
Summary of finding: ……………………………………….. 99
CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Discussion of result: ……………………………………….. 102
Conclusion: ………………………………………………… 108
Implication of the research findings: ………………………. 110
Recommendations: ………………………………………… 112
Limitations of the study: …………………………………… 114
Summary of the study: ……………………………………… 114
Suggestion for further studies: ……………………………… 116
References: …………………………………………………. 118
Appendices: ………………………………………………… 130
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Tertiary institution is a level of education after the secondary school which students attain. The effective management of tertiary institutions in Nigeria depends on a cordial and good working relationship among staff (academic and non academic) and students.
This implies that school administrators have to do with group dynamics. The administrator, members of staff, students and the community where the school is situated should work cooperatively to contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the school goals and objective.
Their cooperation irrespective of their different functions ensures the stability of the institution. The cordial working relationship will be demoralized if the school and members of the school community are often in conflict with one another.
When there is good management of any institution there will be peace and academic environment will not experience conflict Ofordile, (2001).
Dialogue is a prime issue in the management of multiculturalism, global peace and security. This promotes understanding (Best, 2006).
He further opined that conflict is an inevitable friction in all organizations. Efficient and effective management of conflicts is fundamental to the development of any society, but the prevailing situations in Nigeria constitute a reversal of this reality. Conflict in higher education is inescapable.
Conflict exists at every level of our academic world. And while conflict can be negative and can cause deep rifts in the framework of the institution, it can also be used as a tool to take the institution and the people in it from stagnation to a new level of effectiveness. What makes the difference is conflict management (Holton, 1998).
REFERENCES
Abdulkareem A.Y. (2002). “Management: Concept, Principles and Functions” in Femi Durosaro and Segun Ogunsaju (eds) The Craft of Educational Management, Ilorin: Haytee Press and Publishing Co. Nig. Ltd. Pp 15-28.
Abanyam, P.S. (2001). Principal Teacher Conflict: As a Source of Dysfunctional Secondary Administration in Benue State.
Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Calabar; Department of Educational Administration and Planning, University of Calabar.
Adams, E. (1975). Training Education and Teacher Centre. New York Pergon Press.
Adamu, S.H. and Bello, A.S. (2002). Computer Education in Nigeria Schools, Problems and Prospects: In Nigeria Journal of Computer Literacy Vol. 3.
Adeoye, A. (1992). “The iron lady departs” African Guardian pg 12. Adeyemi, T.O. “Causes, Consequences and Control of Students’ Crises In Public and Private Universities in Nigeria” Educational Research and Review, Vol. 4, No. 4: 156-163, April.