Research Article
The Role of Language in Resolving Conflicts and Building Harmony at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha
Nasibu Musa Kalokola*
,
Kipara Josephat Kipara
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-11
Received:
18 March 2025
Accepted:
31 March 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jhrm.20261401.11
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Views:
Abstract: Language-related conflicts pose significant challenges in multicultural and multilingual institutions, often disrupting productivity and eroding workplace harmony. This study examines the role of language in conflict resolution and mediation at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), a diverse academic institution in Tanzania. The research addresses three key objectives: to analyse language-related factors that trigger conflicts among staff, evaluate the effectiveness of current conflict resolution practices, and provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance HR practices. Using a qualitative research design, the data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with IAA staff and stakeholders. The findings reveal that language barriers, cultural differences, and communication styles significantly influence conflict dynamics at IAA. Misunderstandings arising from language proficiency gaps, direct or indirect communication styles, and cultural nuances in interpreting words and non-verbal cues were identified as key contributors to conflicts. While formal mediation processes exist, their effectiveness is limited by delays, bureaucracy, and a lack of focus on underlying linguistic and cultural barriers. Participants emphasized the need for cultural sensitivity training, language support resources, and informal conflict resolution mechanisms. The study recommends implementing cross-cultural communication workshops, peer mediation programs, and leadership initiatives to promote inclusivity and harmony. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of language-related conflicts in multicultural settings and offer practical strategies for improving conflict resolution practices at IAA and similar institutions.
Abstract: Language-related conflicts pose significant challenges in multicultural and multilingual institutions, often disrupting productivity and eroding workplace harmony. This study examines the role of language in conflict resolution and mediation at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), a diverse academic institution in Tanzania. The research addre...
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Research Article
The Economics of Distrust: Systemic Risks of Digital Surveillance and Corporate Insecurity in the Modern Enterprise
Partha Majumdar*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
12-21
Received:
10 December 2025
Accepted:
22 December 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jhrm.20261401.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: This analysis examines the escalating trend of digital workplace surveillance, arguing that such practices are not tools for operational efficiency but symptoms of a profound crisis of corporate insecurity. Using the late 2025 implementation of aggressive 'bossware' at a major IT services firm as a central case study, the text dissects how granular metrics, such as 300-second inactivity thresholds, reveal a management philosophy that prioritises visible motion over the invisible labour of cognitive work. This approach is situated within a broader ecosystem of surveillance, from the gig economy's invasive monitoring to the algorithmic management of physical labour, demonstrating a sector-wide regression towards outdated control mechanisms. Leveraging psychological frameworks like Self-Determination Theory, the document demonstrates that excessive monitoring shatters the psychological contract between employer and employee, destroying autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This, in turn, fosters a culture of 'performative productivity', incentivising countermeasures like 'mouse jiggling' while suppressing the deep work and creative risk-taking essential for innovation. The central hypothesis posits that this low-trust environment imposes a significant 'surveillance tax'-comprising software costs, management overhead, and high employee turnover-which creates a self-reinforcing 'insecurity loop' of declining performance and increased control. By contrasting this model with high-trust organisations that focus on outcomes rather than inputs, the analysis quantifies the financial dividend of trust, evidenced by superior revenue per employee, lower attrition rates, and enhanced organisational resilience. Ultimately, the text concludes that the path of surveillance, driven by leadership insecurity, is economically unsustainable and a strategic roadmap to obsolescence in an innovation-driven economy.
Abstract: This analysis examines the escalating trend of digital workplace surveillance, arguing that such practices are not tools for operational efficiency but symptoms of a profound crisis of corporate insecurity. Using the late 2025 implementation of aggressive 'bossware' at a major IT services firm as a central case study, the text dissects how granular...
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