Conflict Management and Staff Productivity in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State (2018-2023)

The article examined the influence of conflict management on the productivity of University of Uyo employees. The study focused on the implications of mediation, conciliation and collective bargaining as conflict management techniques. Conflict management is one of the factors that determine the productivity of staff in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. The key issues which hinder the productivity of the staff at the University of Uyo are interpersonal relationship conflicts, resource allocation, and organisational policies. The theoretical framework applicable in the study was the Contingency Theory. The study model is a descriptive survey involving a total of 2,500 personnel that comprised of lecturers, administrative employees as well as support employees. Krejcie and Morgan sample size formula were the formulae used to determine the sample size of 352 respondents. Data was gathered through primary and secondary sources and analysed to find the link between conflict management strategies and employee productivity. The results showed that effective mediation led to enormous modifications in the quality of employee cooperation, as conciliation provided the opportunity to establish a peaceful working environment. They proved that collective bargaining enhanced the happiness of the workers leading to a higher productivity in the long run. The study confirmed the gaps in applying these measures like mediators training and the prolonged resolution time. Lastly, conflict management emerged as a relevant factor that dictated staff productivity at the University of Uyo. The study had suggested that the university authority should set up a powerful conflict resolution model and Centre of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to give regular training to the conflict resolution managers. It also stated that the university should make sure that the conflicts at workplace are solved promptly. Such would turn the organisation into a working organisation and a better place to work.