Position Conflict and Professional Orientation in a Research Organization

In a purposive human organization one of the major problems is how to relate the different positions in the organization in a manner most effective for meeting the needs of the organization as well as the needs of the persons in the various positions. It is suggested that one of the major functions of organizational administration is to see that both needs are met, if the organization is to operate effectively. In this context a military medical research organization, concerned with psychiatric and related topics, is analyzed. Positions in this organization were related in terms of two often conflicting criteria-professional research skill and military rank. Some of the problems that arose through the application of these conflicting criteria in relating organization positions are indicated. The role of the administrator is analyzed with respect to this type of conflict situation and in relation to organizational effectiveness. The author is a staff member in the Sloan Institute of Hospital Administration and in the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration, Cornell University.