Case Analysis Paper 2 - mGames
March 16, 2014
Case Analysis Paper 2 - mGames
Problem Identification
mGame is a company that manufactures game based software for portable electronic devices such as PDAs and cell phones. The company is face with problems both externally and internally. mGame’s CEO, Jeffrey Lopez, has the responsibility of keeping managers and board members at mGame motivated for the future success of the gaming software industry. While the mobile gaming business has been good to Lopez’s company, the staff is starting to feel the pressure from the changing market. The dynamic environment of the gaming industry is moving away from cartridges and towards both downloadable and wireless games, and this has caused several employees to become frustrated. The result has been an increased level of intra-group conflict. Lopez also faces pressure from the principal shareholder to prevent a takeover by a personal digital assistant manufacturer. While the shareholder is behind Lopez, it is an opportunity he cannot afford to miss if Lopez does not present a compelling business case not sell the company.
It is important to identify both the issues between the groups and how to manage the conflict. Engleberg and Wynn (2013) define conflict as “the disagreement and disharmony that occur in groups when members express differences regarding group goals; member ideas, behavior, and roles; or group procedures and norms” (p. 173). The three types of conflict are substantive, affective, and procedural.
Substantive conflict may occur by disagreements on goals, ideas, decisions, actions or issues (Engleberg & Wynn, 2013, p. 173). Hidden agendas could jeopardize the group as members are working towards their own goals instead of the goals of the group. This could lead to additional frustration and unresolved conflict (p. 174). Affective conflict can create issues in the group making members feel threatened or not appreciated. This occurs from...