Final answer:
Managers can stimulate conflict by placing employees into competitive situations (option c), potentially driving performance but also risking negative outcomes if not carefully managed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Managers can stimulate conflict by placing employee groups in competitive situations. Conflict in the workplace can arise due to various factors such as different beliefs, values, opinions, and actions. While conflict is sometimes seen as negative, it can also lead to opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation. However, to ensure a positive outcome, it is important how the conflict is managed and resolved.
By putting employee groups into situations where they compete against each other, managers can inadvertently or purposefully create a conflict scenario. This can be seen as a strategy to drive performance but may also have side effects such as stress, diminished team morale, and potentially reduced productivity if not managed well.