Around the globe, inter-group conflict has intensified as natural resources dwindle. Researchers often characterize such conflict in socioeconomic terms. This paper explores the strengths and limitations of current lines of theorization, and offers an alternative framework informed by postcolonial theory. This theoretical exploration is supported…

This case study provides an analytical description of a grievance appeals process in higher education as it actually operates under a particular collective bargaining agreement. The scope of the study was purposely limited to provide a thorough description of one aspect of collective bargaining in higher education. Sixteen research questions were…

This paper discusses a case study that serves as an example of a conflict mediation program in a small high school in Missouri. The program began with the following goals: 1) to reduce the number of conflicts in the school; 2) to empower students with the ability to solve their own conflicts; 3) to teach conflict resolution skills to students; and…

This report summarizes a case study that used participant observation and interviews to investigate an exemplary second-grade teacher's beliefs about events relating to her classroom. Resources for planning and interpreting study results included the works of Kelly, Merleau-Ponty, Stake, Freire, and Glidewell. Data were collected in three phases:…

This case study illustrates and expands upon the principle that innovation efforts involve both role change and change in role interrelationships, changes that (ideally) will be supportive of the innovation effort, but which may--if duplication, gaps among roles, or tension arise--weaken or destroy the effort. A planning effort in the Cleveland…

One of the most persistent findings in the literature on suicidal behavior in adolescence is its association with the characteristics of the adolescent's family. Although empirical work clearly indicates that the family is a critical variable to consider in the study of teenage suicidal behavior, it is less clear how particular family features…

The communication patterns of young married couples may affect the satisfaction and longevity of the relationship. A study examined two young married couples who reported about their relationship with each other. Each couple was interviewed together, and then each member of each couple completed a questionnaire based on the ICPS Family Functioning…

Arguing that by identifying rules, researchers can understand and explain behavioral and communicative processes in specific contexts, this paper outlines a formal method for conducting a rules analysis of a conflict case. The first section of the paper defines and summarizes the basic concepts relating to conflict, organizational groups, and…

This paper describes and analyzes all of the activities of the Berkeley, California school superintendent on September 20, 1973, a fairly typical workday. Included is a chronological log of each event and personal encounter during the day. All incoming and outgoing correspondence and phone calls for the day are also listed. Altogether the…

This paper presents findings of a case study conducted at a middle school to understand how substantive change occurs in a school that has moved beyond the initial transition stage. The study was conducted during the 1991-92 school year at Cross Keys Middle School in Florissant, Missouri, which was changing from a traditional junior high school to…

The diversity of values about sexuality among administrators, teachers, parents, and children creates serious challenge for public schools. This case study offers an insider's view of what happened in a community when conservative parent groups challenged a senior high health curriculum. In the "Laketown Public Schools," conflict erupted…

This paper reviews research on international nongovernmental organizations dealing with human rights (INGOs), and interprets this research in light of the overlap of the fields of organizational theory (including group theory) and human rights. The purpose is to contribute toward a useful exchange between social scientists who seek to explain…

The case study analysis system was designed to increase student analytical skills while focusing on social conflict situations. The analysis system is a systematic means of identifying, classifying, and clarifying factors found in social conflict situations. Students are also expected to gain insights into forces that change social structures.…

This paper describes a study of an organization development intervention with an eight-person teaching-support-administrative team in a suburban elementary school. Data for the study were gathered through observation by two participant-observers, through interviews with all eight direct participants in the team-building project, and through a…

After an introductory discussion and review of literature on divorce among Jewish families, this document presents and analyzes two case studies which show the adverse effect of divorce and child-custody battles on the children of Jewish families who subsequently plan a B'nai Mitzvah (Bar or Bat Mitzvah) ceremony--a joyous ritual of initiation…