ALTERNATIVE COURSES TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: SITUATIONAL, COGNITIVE, SPACE AND TIME DIMENSIONS

George VOSKOPOULOS

Associate Professor of European Studies, Head of the Department of International and European Studies, University of Macedonia
gvoskop@uom.edu.gr

Abstract

Conflict management involves a multilayer, inter-party, action-reaction process in order to eradicate or deal with friction within specific space and time environments and dimensions. In theoretical and practical terms it aims at reshaping or reformulat-ing negative input and eventually turning it into positive or manageable ones. The process is nominally going to produce non-zero-sum games and allow parties to adopt workable stands, positions and cognitive attitudes through among, other things, behavior changes and cognitive re-evaluations. Conflict management de-mands action in a complex situation most often within a limited time dimension. As set by a number of scholars in the past the aim is not to seek a perfect solution but a workable solution and this is of paramount importance.

Keywords: conflict, conflict resolution strategies, conflict dimensions

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