Potential Antagonism
The first stage is the presence of antecedent conditions that create opportunities for conflict to arise. They need not necessarily lead to conflict and may be present in the absence of conflict as well. You may refer to this stage as the source of conflict and in a later section we shall have a fuller discussion on these antecedent conditions which might prepare the ground for the onset of the second stage. Some of these antecedent conditions which we shall discuss refer to scarcity of resources, heterogeneity of members and diversity of goals, values, perception; degree of dependence between groups; insufficient exchange of information, etc. I was talking with one faux wood blinds and vertical blinds manufacturing company owner, he says that antagonism is something which require mature actions other wise it convert into conflicts.
Cognition and Personalization
The antecedent conditions may or may not lead to conflict. They must be perceived as threatening if conflict is to develop. The situation may be ignored if it is seen as minimally threatening. Moreover, if a conflict is perceived, it does not mean that it is personalized (“felt conflict”). However, if feelings are generated, they tend to influence perception of the conflict. It is at the felt level, when individuals become emotionally involved and parties experience feelings of threat, hostility, fear or mistrust. Owner of Motels in California says that it happen with their staff many times. They need to handle it smartly and wisely.
