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Book Review
Conflict Management
Borisoff D and Victor DA
ISBN: 0-205272-94-0 1998 247 pages Allyn and Bacon, USA
Douglas Beatton
Management Work and Industry Futures, School of Management, Faculty of Business, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD
While the qualifications of the two authors are not revealed, this book applies a five-step model to a productive approach to the management of interpersonal conflict in our personal and professional lives (Borisoff & Victor 1998).
The book is paperback-sized, easy to handle and read. Text-book-like in format, the contents of the six chapters is easily identified from bullet-pointed introductions that link directly to chapter contents. The content initially seeks to enhance the reader's knowledge of the nature and dynamics of conflict (Borisoff & Victor 1998: 1-36).
The reader is presented with appropriate communications skills for productive conflict management (Borisoff & Victor 1998: 37-74). Detailed verbal and non-verbal communication strategies conducive to a supportive communications environment are offered and recommendations are provided on how to syntactically and physically express ourselves such that we can clearly communicate our spoken and unspoken message to the listener (Borisoff & Victor 1998: 75-102). The reader is comprehensively exposed to specific sources of conflict, particularly those relative to gender and cross-cultural difference (Borisoff & Victor 1998: 103-146).
The effect our personal writing style has on creating interpersonal conflict is briefly explored (Borisoff & Victor 1998: 203-222). While some could view the conflict management recommendations as North American in their centricity (Borisoff & Victor 1998: 147-202), the suggested workshop activities at chapter-end provide the opportunity to develop and practice the skills prescribed in each chapter. For those seeking deeper knowledge and understanding, the book is professionally referenced.
Overall, the text could form a useful addition to the library of individuals and organisations seeking to develop flexible skills for, and an appropriate attitude to, conflict management.
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