Conflict Management Strategies and Growth Performance of Agro Allied Firms in North Central Nigeria

This study examined conflict management strategies and growth performance of agro- allied firms in North Central, Nigeria. <i>The study specifically sought to assess the effect of accommodation in interpersonal conflict, and collaboration in conflict within a group on employee productivity, and organizational growth performance respectively; and also, determine the effect of compromise in conflict between group, and competition in conflict between rival firms on organizational survival, and organizational competitiveness respectively.</i> The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population comprised two hundred and seven employees of the ten purposely selected agro-allied firms in North-Central, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from structured questionnaire and thus, secondary data were obtained from books, journals and internet. Ordinal logistic regression was applied to test the hypotheses. <i>Findings revealed that accommodation in interpersonal conflict and collaboration in conflict within a group had positive effects on employee productivity and organizational growth performance respectively. Also, compromise in conflict between groups and competition in conflict between rival firms had positive effects on organizational survival and organizational competitiveness respectively.</i> It was concluded that accommodation, collaboration, compromise and competition are key strategies used in managing personal and organizational conflicts. The study proposed that agro-allied firms and other firms need to invest in conflict management training programmes for employees at all levels to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in conflict management. Additionally, the development and implementation of formal conflict resolution mechanisms need to be prioritized to address conflicts efficiently and effectively in organisations.