Building a positive work climate, where trust and participation are hallmarks, and where
conflict and changes are seen as productive, can produce a dynamic and flexible organization. The
aim of this study was identifying the factual organizational climate as perceived by nurses,
determining the causes and effects of conflict, management strategies, positive and negative effects
of conflict, and assessing the employees for the chosen strategy for conflict management. It was
conducted in Assiut University Hospital using a cross-sectional design. Subjects included 195 staff
nurses, 107 head nurses, and 2 assistant nursing directors, and the director of nursing services
administration. Data were collected using the organizational climate questionnaire and the
organizational conflict questionnaire. The results revealed that 73.4% of nurses considered
organizational climate as positive. Inter-group conflict was the highest (72.8%). Almost all nurses
were for confrontational resolution strategy (97.0%), while avoiding was the lowest (80.7%). Most
nurses considered conflict resolution strategies effective (83.3%). Statistically significant relations
were shown between inter-group conflict and nurses ' age (p=0.002), qualification (p=0.04),
experience years (p=0.006), and job position (p=0.03). Positive organizational climate was
associated with higher percentage of effective resolution, p<O.OO 1. Positive statistically significant
correlations were found between organizational climate and effective resolution (r= 0.64), and
positive effect of conflict (r=0.47), and between positive effect of conflict and effectiveness of
resolution (r=0.46). It is concluded that most studied nurses considered organizational climate as
positive. Positive organizational climate was associated with higher percentage of effective
resolution, and more positive effect of conflict. It is recommended to improve the organizational
climate through increasing the effectiveness of the communication system, reconsidering the reward
system, with emphasis on recognition and support.