NCJ Number
97331
Journal
Peace and Change Volume: 8 Issue: 2/3 Dated: special issue (Summer 1982) Pages: 55-64
Date Published
1982
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This critical examination of the functioning of mediation in private sector labor relations, public sector labor relations, and the 'nontraditional' area identifies the important situational characteristics of each of the three areas and discusses the probable impact of these characteristics on the mediation process. Tentative conclusions on the role of mediation in the nontraditional area are offered, and the need for additional research in this area is discussed.
Abstract
The bases of influence in mediation include the ability to give something desired, the authority to administer punishments, the legitimacy of exercising power, the relationship of the person influenced to the mediator, the expert status of the mediator, and the mediator's knowledge about the situation or the positions of the parties, and the mediator's friendliness to both sides. The characteristics of the conflict which make the greatest difference to the effectiveness of mediation and which occur the most often are the pressure on the parties to settle, the parties' experience with bargaining, the nature of the relationship between the parties, and the nature of the issues. The pressure to settle is by far the most critical factor. The circumstances surrounding these factors vary widely, depending on whether the dispute is in the public sector, the private sector, or the nontraditional dispute area. Mediation must vary to meet the needs of the structure of the particular conflict. Fifteen references and a drawing are included.