Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Social Welfare
Advisor
Roderick Watts
Committee Members
Willie Tolliver
Martha Bragin
Subject Categories
Social Work
Abstract
Successful collaborations take effort. This study analyzed the process followed by 20 groups of diverse professions that were brought together to solve a community health problem. To this goal a four part model of conflict was adapted and used to understand how conflict emerged, was managed or resolved. The model allowed for the identification of five routes to conflict. Conflict was either averted or managed constructively by most of the groups and a set of productive behaviors is associated with this ability. Experienced collaborators utilize these behaviors at various times throughout the collaborative process to promote group cohesion and the possibility of integrating differences and transforming them into more creative outcomes. Conflict is found to be neutral; for some groups it is stagnating while others are able to use it constructively.
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Martha Lucia, "Can We Get Along, Long Enough to Collaborate?" (2013). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/1944