Conflict management in organizations! A case study of the role of ZIMTA in satisfying the needs of its constituency in Epworth- Mabvuku Tafara District.

Abstract

The education sector of Zimbabwe has encountered a number of conflicts. This research explores the issue of conflict management in organizations; specifically looking at the role of ZIMTA in satisfying the needs of its constituency in Epworth-Mabvuku-Tafara district. The study was guided by Karl Marx and Ralph Dahrendorf conflict theories. Both qualitative and quantitative ways of collecting data were used. For key informant interviews purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample and data for the study. For the questionnaires simple random sampling was used when selecting teachers. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using themes whereas quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and presented using the research objectives. It was established that there is conflict between teachers and the government, Teachers feel that the union plays an important role in resolving teacher-government conflicts; it is partly involved in the conflict management activities and is somehow helpful although a relatively similar proportion feel that the union is not helpful at all. The majority of the teachers highlighted that the union has not been successful in satisfying their needs. Political and economic constraints have been seen as the major impediments for ZIMTA to satisfy the needs of its constituency. Therefore the issue of conflict management in the education sector is still a challenge that needs to be addressed.