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Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations
Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613560177164288 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Fairhurst, Keith |
| author_browse | Fairhurst, Keith |
| author_facet | Fairhurst, Keith |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109135 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:38:04.955Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109135 Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations Fairhurst, Keith ichelp@gibs.co.za Moagi, Oupa UCTD Conflict resolution Board communication Strategic decision making Knowledge based view Leadership Board diversity Corporate governance Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study examines how board member communication patterns and conflict resolution methods affect corporate strategic decision-making in South African business environments with their diverse and complex nature. The research used interpretivist qualitative methods to conduct semi-structured interviews with 12 directors from four boards which resulted in thematic analysis of the collected data. The research shows that decision quality, speed and legitimacy depend on three essential micro-level processes which include formal communication systems, informal influence attempts and safe psychological environments. The research shows that constructive conflict between board members leads to creative solutions but destructive conflict between members causes trust breakdown and team fragmentation. The boards prefer to resolve conflicts through consensus-based methods. Strategic outcomes from diverse boards become successful when trust exists alongside effective communication but power imbalances between members will destroy these benefits. The chairperson's leadership approach through honest conduct and emotional awareness enables board members to participate safely while maintaining proper CEO-board relations. The research provides organizations with four essential recommendations to enhance their communication systems and teach conflict resolution skills and develop their leaders and perform regular board performance assessments. The research expands governance knowledge by showing that behavioral processes within boards determine their effectiveness more than their structural characteristics. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MBA Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions 2026-03-23T09:08:54Z 2026-03-23T09:08:54Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109135 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Conflict resolution Board communication Strategic decision making Knowledge based view Leadership Board diversity Corporate governance Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations |
| title | Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations |
| title_full | Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations |
| title_fullStr | Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations |
| title_short | Exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision-making in corporations |
| title_sort | exploring how communication and conflict resolution among board members shape strategic decision making in corporations |
| topic | UCTD Conflict resolution Board communication Strategic decision making Knowledge based view Leadership Board diversity Corporate governance |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109135 |