ACHE 86th Annual Conference and Meeting - October 14-16 2024

30-Minute Presentations

Department chairs are the hugely responsible link between upper administration with the faculty, staff, and students of the department within the university institution. As the crucial link between groups, department chairs face interpersonal conflict from all groups, adding to the weight of their role. This study is part of a larger research study with the purpose of exploring interpersonal conflict of department chairs at public, research one universities. The research question guiding this study is how department chairs describe their role in conflict resolution within the university institution. Using the methodology of narrative inquiry and the conceptual framework of department chairs as administrative leaders, the university as a system, interpersonal conflict, and systems theory, the six participants’ interviews are analyzed through coding and thematic analysis. The findings resulted in the following main themes: department chairs describe their role in conflict resolution as talking, listening, and asking questions; seeking input; and referring outside the department. Future research areas are included.