CONFLICT HANDLING STYLES WITHIN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT MANAGERS IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

The aim of the contribution is to present the partial nationwide research results aimed to find out the conflict handling style most used by mayors to resolve conflicts. A synthesis of the basic ideas of the theories of the mentioned authors is about the typology of five conflicting handling styles, namely avoiding, competition, adjustment, cooperation, and compromise. There are many conflicts handling styles used by individuals. It depends on the specificity of the situation, the structure and dynamics of the relationship, and, finally, the disposition characteristics of the actors involved in the conflict. The research results were processed using the primary data analysis and by using descriptive statistical methods. The research sample consisted of a core set of objects. There had been addressed all mayors of 2,753 municipalities in the Slovak Republic. Research sample were mayors of the Slovak Republic. The distribution of the sample by gender is in favor of men (67.6%), the highest number of respondents has a university education (51.5%). Based on the results, it was found out, that cooperation is the preferred conflict handling style by older women mayors, university graduates, in the second term of office, and in municipalities with over 1001 inhabitants.