A Report on Conflict Management in Human Resource Administration at the General Education Division of the Wat Klang Buddhist Scripture School, Mueang District, Kalasin Province

Abstract

This study examines conflict management in personnel administration at Phrapariyattidhamma School, General Education Division, Wat Klang, Kalasin Province. The objectives are to analyze concepts, theories, and methods of conflict management, and to integrate Buddhist principles to achieve organizational goals. Conflict is considered a normal phenomenon in all organizations, with both positive and negative outcomes depending on how it is managed. While traditional theories regarded conflict as harmful and to be avoided, modern perspectives recognize it as inevitable and potentially beneficial if handled properly. Major causes of conflict include individual differences, communication failures, value discrepancies, and organizational structure. The study emphasizes the integration of modern conflict management theories with the Buddhist principle of Akati 4 (biases arising from desire, anger, delusion, and fear) to guide administrators toward fair, transparent, and evidence-based decision-making. It also analyzes different approaches to managing conflict—competition, collaboration, avoidance, accommodation, and compromise—concluding that collaboration and compromise are most suitable in the school context. Findings suggest that effective conflict management in Buddhist schools requires blending modern management theories with Theravāda Buddhist principles to establish mechanisms that are both efficient and ethical. Specifically, applying Pondy’s five-stage conflict process enables administrators to anticipate, prevent, and resolve disputes systematically, thereby fostering a harmonious working environment, enhancing staff motivation, and ensuring the school achieves both worldly and spiritual goals in a sustainable way.