Question- What are the sources of Value Conflicts?

Answer  -

As is evident throughout the literature on values, many research studies have focused upon the personal, professional and societal values of educational administrators. Specifically, these research studies are concerned with the influence and impact of these values in particular situations of value conflicts. In an attempt to analyze the various sources of educational administrators’ values as well as the sources of value conflicts, Begley utilizes a second onion figure to illustrate the below.

Fig. Begley’s (2003 a) Arenas of Valuation : Sources of Value & Value

Begley’s model includes seven arenas of valuation which “highlight the multiple domains and functions of administration” each which “(have) potentially competing or incompatible values”. The innermost ring of the onion figure represents the individual who possesses a distinct influence in the role of educational administrator. Moving outwards, the second ring represents “the arena of groups (and) collective entities of various types... such as family, peers, friends and acquaintances” The next ring represents the profession which is “a more formal arena of administration that is closely related to the second ring, but is given special emphasis because of its relevance to school administration”. The following ring moving outwards represents the organization which is subsequently layered by the arenas representing community and culture. Research maintains the importance of valuing the community as a “relevant administrative arena and source of influence on school leadership”. Similarly, today’s diverse society celebrates the importance of culture as “relevant arenas of administrative activity”. Represented lastly in the onion figure is “the transcendental -God, faith, spirituality”. This is an arena of considerable importance and can be a significant influence on the valuation processes for many individuals. Educational administrators would be remiss not to consider the transcendental as both a source of infinite values and value conflict.

Begley’s model denotes the numerous sources of value conflicts and illustrates how value conflicts can arise both within and throughout the different layers in his model. For example, “personal values (can) conflict with those of the community (and) professional values (can) conflict with organizational values”. Hodgkinson (1991) also addresses the issue of value conflicts with his (1978) model and states that “the most profound value conflicts occur when two or more principles are in conflict. Because they and personal preferences are non-rational (either transrational or sub rational), conflicts occurring at these levels are extremely difficult to resolve”.

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