Interpersonal conflict in schools: how teachers manage conflict in the workplace

Article


Fields, Barry A.. 1998. "Interpersonal conflict in schools: how teachers manage conflict in the workplace." Education and Society. 16 (1), pp. 55-72. https://doi.org/10.7459/es/16.1.06
Article Title

Interpersonal conflict in schools: how teachers manage conflict in the workplace

ERA Journal ID20127
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorFields, Barry A.
Journal TitleEducation and Society
Journal Citation16 (1), pp. 55-72
Number of Pages18
Year1998
Place of PublicationMelbourne, Australia
ISSN0726-2655
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.7459/es/16.1.06
Abstract

A significant change has taken place over the past two decades in the nature of teachers' work. Where once teachers operated in relative social and professional isolation and with considerable autonomy, today teachers are expected to engage in collaborative decision making on just about every facet of the school's curriculum and operations. In addition, teachers are open to much more public scrutiny and accountability than before as the education enterprise is aligned increasingly to market-based principles and practices. As teachers engage in collaborative decisionmaking with school administrators, colleagues, and parents they are confronted with and must respond to a wide range of often conflicting perspectives, needs and interests. More and more, in their day to day work, teachers are exposed to interpersonal conflict. Many find themselves ill-prepared to deal with these new demands. How teachers manage conflict in the workplace is of considerable importance, not only to the personal professional efficacy and satisfaction of teachers, but also to the overall effectiveness of the school and its curriculum. And yet, very little is known about this aspect of the work of teachers. In this paper, two exploratory studies of teacher conflict management behaviour are reported. Implications for teacher development and training are discussed.

ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520104. Industrial and organisational psychology (incl. human factors)
470108. Organisational, interpersonal and intercultural communication
350503. Human resources management
Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q05x8/interpersonal-conflict-in-schools-how-teachers-manage-conflict-in-the-workplace

Download files


Published Version
Fields_ES_v16n1_AV.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 2391
    total views
  • 505
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 4
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

A comparison of behaviour support provisions provided by small rural schools and large urban schools
Fields, Barry. 2008. "A comparison of behaviour support provisions provided by small rural schools and large urban schools." Boylan, Colin (ed.) 24th Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia Conference (SPERA 2008): The Face of Learning – Generation M: The Mobile Generation. Melbourne, Australia 27 - 29 Aug 2008 Osborne Park, Western Australia .
Getting the balance right: the challenge of balancing praise and correction for early school years children who exhibit oppositional and defiant behaviour
Fields, Barry. 2012. "Getting the balance right: the challenge of balancing praise and correction for early school years children who exhibit oppositional and defiant behaviour ." Australasian Journal of Early Childhood. 37 (4), pp. 24-28.
The role of pre-service and in-service teacher education in the development of competency in behaviour management
Fields, Barry. 2008. "The role of pre-service and in-service teacher education in the development of competency in behaviour management." Apsland, Tania (ed.) 2008 Australian Teacher Education Association Conference (2008 ATEA). Sunshine Coast, Australia 08 - 11 Jul 2008 Brisbane, Australia.
Productive pedagogies and discipline: the challenge of aligning teaching and behaviour management
Fields, Barry A.. 2005. "Productive pedagogies and discipline: the challenge of aligning teaching and behaviour management." Jeffery, Peter L. (ed.) International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE 2004): Positioning Education and Research. Melbourne, Australia 29 Nov - 02 Dec 2004 Melbourne, Australia.
Breaking the cycle of office referrals and suspensions: defensive management
Fields, Barry. 2004. "Breaking the cycle of office referrals and suspensions: defensive management." Educational Psychology in Practice. 20 (2), pp. 103-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/02667360410001691044
Restitution and restorative justice in juvenile justice and school discipline
Fields, Barry. 2003. "Restitution and restorative justice in juvenile justice and school discipline." Youth Studies Australia. 22 (4), pp. 44-51.
Beyond disabilities: broadening the view of special needs and the inclusive education challenges facing primary teachers
Fields, Barry A.. 2007. "Beyond disabilities: broadening the view of special needs and the inclusive education challenges facing primary teachers ." Jeffery, Peter L. (ed.) International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE 2006): Engaging Pedagogies. Adelaide, Australia 27 - 30 Nov 2006 Melbourne, Australia.
Pedagogical reform and classroom reality: how teachers view teaching and discipline
Fields, Barry A.. 2006. "Pedagogical reform and classroom reality: how teachers view teaching and discipline." Jeffery, Peter L. (ed.) International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE 2005): Creative Dissent: Constructive Solutions. Sydney, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2005 Melbourne, Australia.
Systemic and school level responses to the imperatives of behaviour management: a review of one education system's plan for school improvement
Fields, Barry A.. 2008. "Systemic and school level responses to the imperatives of behaviour management: a review of one education system's plan for school improvement." Jeffery, Peter L. (ed.) International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE 2007): Research Impacts: Proving or Improving?. Fremantle, Australia 25 - 29 Nov 2007 Melbourne, Australia.
School discipline coverage in Australian newspapers: impact on public perceptions, educational decisions and policy
Fields, Barry. 2006. "School discipline coverage in Australian newspapers: impact on public perceptions, educational decisions and policy." Jeffery, Peter L. (ed.) International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE 2005): Creative Dissent: Constructive Solutions. Sydney, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2005 Melbourne, Australia.
Peer mediation for conflict management: a Singaporean case study
Soh, Bee Ling and Fields, Barry. 1999. "Peer mediation for conflict management: a Singaporean case study." Pacific-Asian Education. 11 (2), pp. 32- 43.
School discipline: is there a crisis in our schools?
Fields, Barry A.. 2000. "School discipline: is there a crisis in our schools?" Australian Journal of Social Issues. 35 (1), pp. 73-86.
The teacher and student diversity: problems, challenges and opportunities
Fields, Barry A.. 1999. "The teacher and student diversity: problems, challenges and opportunities." Curriculum Perspectives. 19 (3), pp. 41-51.
The impact of class heterogeneity on students with learning disabilities
Fields, Barry A.. 1999. "The impact of class heterogeneity on students with learning disabilities." Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties. 4 (2), pp. 11-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19404159909546589
The social and educational effects of student mobility: implications for teachers and guidance officers
Fields, Barry A.. 1997. "The social and educational effects of student mobility: implications for teachers and guidance officers." Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling. 7 (1), pp. 45-56.
Nature and function of rules
Fields, Barry A.. 1997. "Nature and function of rules." Australian Journal of Early Childhood. 22 (3), pp. 7-12.
Children on the move: the social and educational effects of family mobility
Fields, Barry. 1997. "Children on the move: the social and educational effects of family mobility." Children Australia. 22 (3), pp. 4-9.
Managing disruptive student behaviour: the involvement of law enforcement and juvenile justice in schools
Fields, Barry A.. 2003. "Managing disruptive student behaviour: the involvement of law enforcement and juvenile justice in schools." Jeffery, Peter L. (ed.) International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE 2002): Problematic Futures: Educational Research in an Era of Uncertainty. Brisbane, Australia 01 - 05 Dec 2002 Melbourne, Australia.