Exploring Conflict Management Strategies: A Phenomenology Approach Utilized by Stand-Alone Senior High School Administrators

This dissertation aimed at exploring the lived experiences of the administrators in managing conflicts within their work environment. Specifically, the study sought to describe the participants’ experiences on understanding the nature of conflict, causes of conflicts, examples of conflicts and their strategies in managing conflicts. Looking into the participants’ challenges and coping mechanisms was also the objective of the study. Hermeneutic Phenomenology was utilized to describe and interpret the basic structures of lived experience, and recognition of the pedagogical experience. The result of this study was a theme found on the lived experiences of the administrator and challenges they encountered in managing conflicts - Nature of Conflict, Human Conflict, Human Behaviour, Conflict Management Strategies and Challenges in Conflict Management. Five major conflict management strategies were identified such as integrating, competing, avoiding compromising and obliging. It was concluded that administrators utilized different strategies which are congruent to their leadership styles and based on the context where conflict takes place. It was recommended that administrator should recognize diversity as one factor key element that may cause disagreements among the school stakeholders.