Conflict Resolution Styles Among Filipino Seafarers Inputs to a Conflict Management Program

The study anchored on the assessment of the most commonly encountered sources of conflicton board the ship and the conflict management styles among Filipino seafarers. Researchers conducted asurvey among Filipino seafarers of different groups – the top management, operations officers and the rankand file by the use of descriptive method of research utilizing the triangulation approach. Researchers usedthe standardized and widely used Thomas Kilmann conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) to determine andunderstand the conflict management approaches of maritime professionals while at work on board theship,. This focuses on the five conflict management styles namely Collaborating, Competing,Compromising, Accommodating, and Avoiding. Results revealed that the most dominant among the conflict management styles of the groups of respondents is collaborating and the least practiced is the compromising. However, the most effective management style depends on the conflict situation. When the conflict is properly managed, conflict maybe a source of novel, creative and innovative ideas which can bipotential to promote positive change. Results form basis of the improvement of the Conflict Management Program for Seafarers.

Keywords – conflict management styles, Collaborating, Competing, Compromising, Accommodating,Avoiding, conflict management program