Final answer:
John could manage the consistent conflict among his staff regarding the perception of resource inequality by altering the human variable or the structural variables, such as improving communication and dispelling misconceptions, instead of expanding resources or commanding authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
A consistent conflict among members of John's staff is the lack of resources; John's staff believe other departments have more and newer technology to complete their work, so they grumble and complain to and about each other's use of technology and compare themselves to the other departments. Since John knows that it isn't true that other departments have newer and better equipment, he could manage this conflict effectively by altering the structural variables or altering the human variable. Rather than authoritative command or expansion of resources, both of which may not be necessary or feasible, John could decide to address the misperceptions and communication issues within his team that contribute to the conflict.
Altering the structural variables might involve John arranging for his team to tour other departments, seeing firsthand the equipment in use, and directly addressing any misconceptions about the distribution of resources. On the other hand, altering the human variable might involve holding team meetings or workshops that focus on team-building and communication, aiming to improve the way members of the team interact with and perceive each other.
Understanding that conflicts can stem from misperceptions and misinformation, methods that target the root causes of these conflicts—such as improving internal communication and providing accurate information—can be effective in conflict resolution. By implementing such strategies, John could help to rebuild trust within his team and reduce or eliminate the persistent conflict over resource allocation.