EXECUTIVE MASTERS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Summary of the pertinent facts of the case
Conflict
Every organization, may it be big or small, do experience its respective conflict. Conflict could be observable in various ways, as it could occur due to the misunderstanding between various individuals, problems when it comes to the processes of the organizational operation, and other matters. Organizational conflict could occur in different ways but its main effect is usually the inability of people to work together, which often causes the disruption of normal operation of the organization. As such, it is necessary to address the conflict, which could occur in an organization, especially if the conflict entails threatening the welfare of the environment and large of groups of people. In relation to this, the case of the Tumult in Prairie County clearly exemplified an organizational conflict that should be addressed accordingly.
Economy
Prairie County has always been dominated by the agriculture and mining industries, as a means of livelihood of the people in this rural area. Over the years, agri-business that involves both crops and cattle has been stable enough to provide adequate employment and comfortable culture to the people of the county. The existence of mining only played a secondary role, as its operation existed in an on and off basis in the county. However, in 1992, the discovery of large pockets of natural gas in the area resulted in the mining boom in the county, which substantially changed the lives of the people (Designing and Managing Organizational Systems).
Impact of Change on the Society
The operations involved in the natural gas drilling caused the migration of tough men together with their family in Prairie County. The result of the increase of population in this rural area involved adverse consequences such as drug abuse, crime, housing shortages, inflation, and domestic abuse. In relation to this, environmental problems also become observable because it started to pollute the water and air of the county, which also made its people realize the weak federal law and other policies that protect the welfare of the citizens and the environment in this kind of situation. Furthermore, the place that is greatly affected is the county seat, the town of Ward. Ward, as the center of commerce, government, and residential hub of the rural county, experienced the largest increase in population that also brought about the problem of untoward development of the town with the existence of man camps. In addition, the new citizens of the county also created the diversity of people that have various needs, which involved special children with special needs that requires special attention and facilities. The crime rate of the county, especially those involving juvenile delinquency have also emerged as an important issue because of the conflicting perspectives of the county judges regarding it (Designing and Managing Organizational Systems).
The Department of Social Service (DSS) of the county is also experiencing great difficulties in rendering family services because of the difficult and many cases that are entering the system. The group homes, drug treatment facilities, and crisis centers are overloaded in Ward and the state capacity is almost exhausted. In order to address the problem, DSS coordinates placement, case management, and treatment decisions through multi-disciplinary teams and child protection team, which help to manage the excessive caseloads. However, conflict emerged between the team, which is causing dysfunction, especially in the child protection program because of the legal values and treatment priorities often negate each other. This conflict is greatly observable in the position of Judge Mary Ann Grimes, who supports tough law and order for both juvenile and adult offenders. On the other hand, Susan Webb, the local DSS field office director does not approve of the decisions and actions of Judge Grimes because it is intimidating and disrupting the priorities of the DSS mission. As a result, Webb and Judge Grimes have observable conflict between each other, which also affected the relation of the DSS office and District Court (Designing and Managing Organizational Systems).
Inter-organizational networking
The conflict that is observable in Prairie County, especially between Judge Grimes and Webb exemplifies organizational conflict, which should be properly addressed by finding a common ground of cooperation wherein they could both work together. In this sense, the theory that pertains to behavioral conflict should be applied wherein it is perceived as a natural phenomenon of organizational life and could be eliminated and could also pave the way for positive organizational effectiveness (Designing and Managing Organizational Systems).
An appraisal of the situation
The problems of the Prairie County when it comes to the social, economic, physical, and organizational realms of this rural area are brought about by the lack of preparedness of the county to address the changes that are brought about by the mining boom. The county did not expect such kind of changes, which is why the problem was not immediately address as they were ill-prepared for it and they also lack the necessary funds in order to properly solve the problem.
The conflict between Judge Grime and Webb is caused by incompatible emotions and opposing ideas because they have different perspectives when it comes to handling crime cases in the county, especially those involving juveniles. In addition, they also have different personalities and values when managing and dealing with their people. In relation to this, the problem with the guardian-ad-litems (GALs) or the people responsible in managing the cases in the county are also an important issue that must be resolved because the lack of proper compensation and training facility for them in the county are also making the situation much worse.
There are different approaches to address the organizational conflict in the county. One of which is through the use of confrontation wherein the disputing parties will face each other in order to solve their problems. However, in the case of Judge Grimes and Webb this strategy may not bring advantageous results because they have already experienced talking with each other, which often results in more conflict. The second strategy is the common ground, which allows the disputing parties to emphasize on their common goals, which will allow them to cooperate and collaborate in order to attain it. This strategy could bring positive effects because both Judge Grimes and Weber have the same goal of addressing the problems in the county. Nevertheless, conflict might still occur because of the differences in their personality and ideas.
Assessment of plausible alternative strategies and likely consequences
Short-term (State Intervention)
The theory of state intervention is based on the primary role of the state to maintain public order and to defend the land. The state also has the responsibility to ensure and maintain the human rights of the people. In relation to this, the adverse consequences that might come from capitalism should also be dealt with by the state (Osuka, n.d.). In this sense, the situation of the Prairie County, especially in terms of the problems that it is facing because of the mining boom requires the intervention of the state in order to properly address it.
The problem with the social, physical, and environmental problems of the county could be addressed through the help coming from the state. The aforementioned issues could be immediately addressed because state intervention would solve problems in a short-term basis by means of the funds and competent people that they will provide in the Prairie County. The means and capability of Prairie County is only limited and the officials in these rural area needs help in order to solve the problems that they are facing. The state could help the county by providing additional funds and sending competent people to assist in the resolving the problems of this rural area. First, by providing additional funds, the state could help the county in establishing more facilities that would address the needs of special children, juvenile delinquents and addicts, etc. The funds could also be used in providing health care, education, water and electricity, and others. In addition to this, the county could also use the funds in improving the compensation of the employees in the countys governmental offices and also give them the necessary training and benefits to enhance their skills.
In relation to this, the state should also send competent and reputable people that could help the county with their problems. In terms of the environment and the physical dilemmas of the county, the state could send expert when it comes to environmental pollution that are related with mining. In doing so, the officials of the county would know the right thing to do when it comes to the environmental hazards of this mining boom as well as those that come from the increase in the population of the people. Moreover, the increasing violence and crime rate of the county could also be addressed by means of sending police officers that could train the county on how to deal with the problems related with the mining boom and the influx of people. Additional police officers would also substantial help in controlling the crimes in the county. By means of the intervention of the state, Prairie County would have additional funds to use and competent people to work with, which would help in properly addressing the problems in the county.
Long-term (Conflict Management)
The conflict management theory is a means in order to address discord that occurred due to actual or perceived disagreements between people working together due to differences in needs, values, and interests. Organizational conflict may take many forms and could be caused by various reasons. The conflict management theory in an organizational entails different strategies in order to resolve the misunderstandings or disputes that might arise within an organization (Rahim, 2001).
In relation to this, the implementation of conflict management will enable to resolve the organizational problems in Prairie County in a long-term basis because it will address problems that currently exist in the county as well as other conflicts that could emerge. In relation to this, conflict management has long-term effects when it comes to resolving organizational conflicts. It seems more feasible and effective that the organizational conflict should be addressed by using the common ground method because this will enable the parties to highlight on their commonalities rather than differences. In addition, in order to prevent the differences of the two parties from creating more conflict, the strategy of mediation could also be used wherein a third party will help solve the conflict. This strategy is also applicable in other organizational problems because the conflict in the Prairie County is actually observable in most organizations in various fields, may it be in business, public administration, and others.
By implementing the necessary strategy in order to address the conflict between Judge Grimes and Webb, which is also affecting the relationship of their respective department, the organization could be able to better handle the problems that they are facing. These two personalities together with their respective department could work together to resolve the issues concerning the crime rate, social services dilemmas, employment problems in GALs, and the other problems are badly affecting the county due to the mining boom.
Choice of Action and Strategy, a Justification
The feasible solutions for the problems in Prairie County have its respective strengths and weaknesses. The effects of these alternative solutions could be seen in the way by which the major theories used in these solutions would affect the future problems of the county and also other similar cases. The alternative solutions of state intervention and organizational management are both feasible and applicable ways in order to address the problem in the county. State intervention could help address the short-term problems in the future because of the aid that it would give to the county. The funds coming from the state could help immediately resolve the limited budget and lack of facilities in the county. Sending competent people to the county coming from the state could resolve long-term problems in the future if it is properly implemented. If the state will send competent officials and experts to help the county it could really help the people in the rural area and train them to become more adept in solving the problems in their environment. The skills instilled upon the officials in the county could also be passed down to the succeeding generations, which would help in preparing them for other future problems.
Conflict Management is also a way in order to address the organizational conflict in Prairie County. This theory entails solving long-term problems in the future because the misunderstanding in an organization usually takes place. There are different conflict management strategies that could be advised depending upon the situation that needs to be resolved. Being the case, conflict management theory is an alternative solution that could be used in a long-term basis because its relevance involves a wide range of situation.
An Analysis of Generalization
Generally, the problems of the Prairie County are rooted from the lack of preparedness of the people and the officials of this rural area with the sudden change caused by the economic boom. Since the county was used to having an agriculturalpastoral industry with only a minimum number of people, the boom of the mining industry created changes that were not expected. Due to this, organizational conflict emerged as well as other social and environmental problems. Nevertheless, these problems could be addressed through state intervention and conflict management.
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