Conflict Management In University Library

To examine link between conflict management styles used by university library managers with such demographic attributes such as gender, education, academic vs administrative status, experience, and their full vs. part time involvement with their role as library managers. Data was secured by questioning library managers about their preferred treatment of staff conflicts. The tool used for data collection was a questionnaire designed by the researcher drawn on Thomas Kent’s model of five common conflict management styles. Analysis was carried out using SPSS software Managers preference for collaboration, compromise, and domination was evident. Accommodation and avoidance strategies were respectively less preferred. Analysis showed that gender, education, academic vs. administrative status had little correlation with the preferred style, whereas, full time mangers and managers with longer management experience expressed a tendency toward avoidance style. Also, male managers with longer experience preferred domination style more than their female counterparts. Originality: A similar research was not found in Iranian LIS literature