The Law of Karma and Conflict-Stress Relationship : Towards the Definition of Dharmic Work-Environment

Abstract

Conflict management styles have been made related to the quality of agreement reached during negotiations or a particular situation. By contrast, in this article it is argued that it is the conflict style that creates a particular situation within a work environment and that "created situation" induces an actor (of the work environment) to adopt a particular style to cope with the crisis and thus the cycle continues. By applying the knowledge of karmic principles, it is understood that the preference of a particular style is determined by the locus of the actor into his/her karmic cycle, i.e., whether he/she is about to complete the cycle or not. Using data from a leading corporate sector of India, it is found that those who prefer a more integrating style (i.e., good karma) experience a lower level of role conflict which reduces stress and those who use a more dominating or avoiding style (i.e, bad karma) experience a higher level of stress. Therefore it is concluded that an employee's work environment, on the basis of a superior-subordinate dyad, is his/her own creation.