Conflict Management Styles and Employee Job Satisfaction in Higher Institutions of Learning: A case of Makerere University

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between conflict management styles and employee job satisfaction while using academic and non-academic staff in Makerere University. The study was underpinned by three specific objectives which included examining the relationship between collective bargaining and employee job satisfaction in Makerere University, assessing the relationship between accommodative conflict management style and employee job satisfaction in Makerere University and establishing the relationship between confrontation conflict management style and employee job satisfaction in Makerere University. The study was conducted as a correlational study while using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. 3795 respondents formed the sampling framework, of which, 409 respondents were chosen using Morgan and Krejcie as a sample size. This sample was approached using both simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Findings revealed that there is a significant and positive relationship between collective bargaining and employee job satisfaction in Makerere University (r= .631, p= 0.01). On the second objective, there is a significant and positive relationship between accommodative conflict management style and employee job satisfaction in Makerere University (r= .570, p= 0.01). The third objective revealed that there is a weak and negative relationship between confrontation conflict management style and employee job satisfaction in Makerere University (r= -.637, p= 0.01). The study concluded that much of efforts need to be put on ensuring that there are no confrontation styles of managing conflicts if employee job satisfaction is to be stimulated in Makerere University. It was recommended that the administrators at Makerere University need to prevent themselves from employing confrontation measures when dealing with conflicts with an aim of achieving employee job satisfaction. Much of the emphasis needs to be put in ensuring that they reduce on use of threats and force.