James A. Wall

Conflict and Its Management

This article reviews the conflict literature, first examining the causes of conflict, its core process, and its effects. Subsequently, we probe into conflict escalation (and de-escalation), contexts, and conflict management. When examining this last topic, we note that conflict can be managed by the disputants themselves, by managers, or by other third parties. In conclusion we suggest directions for future research and provide recommendations for practicing managers.

Mediation: A Current Review and Theory Development

The mediation literature of the past decade is organized into six topical areas: the determinants of mediation, mediation per se, approaches employed by mediators, determinants of the mediation approaches, outcomes of mediation, and determinants of the mediation outcomes. The literature that describes mediation per se, mediation approaches, and outcomes is very descriptive rather than theoretical. The literature that deals with the determinants of the mediation, approaches, and outcomes is quite descriptive but also provides an ample base for theory development.The mediation literature of the past decade is organized into six topical areas: the determinants of mediation, mediation per se, approaches employed by mediators, determinants of the mediation approaches, outcomes of mediation, and determinants of the mediation outcomes. The literature that describes mediation per se, mediation approaches, and outcomes is very descriptive rather than theoretical. The literature that deals with the determinants of the mediation, approaches, and outcomes is quite descriptive but also provides an ample base for theory development.

Mediation: A Current Review

This article reviews the mediation literature over the past decade. Initially the literature is organized and integrated in a framework that focuses on the mediators decision to mediate, the choice of mediation techniques, the outcomes of mediation, and the determinants of these factors. Subsequently, the authors comment on the reviewed literature and offer suggestions for future research.This article reviews the mediation literature over the past decade. Initially the literature is organized and integrated in a framework that focuses on the mediators decision to mediate, the choice of mediation techniques, the outcomes of mediation, and the determinants of these factors. Subsequently, the authors comment on the reviewed literature and offer suggestions for future research.

Review Section : Mediation An Analysis, Review, and Proposed Research

Mediation is a complex social process which facilitates interpersonal, intergroup, and international negotiations. However, at present, neither the nature nor the potential of mediation is adequately understood because insufficient effort has been devoted to the analysis and study of the process. In order to enhance our understanding and the potential utility of the procedure, this article presents a mediation paradigm which serves as the basis for an analysis of the process and a review of the various techniques. Subsequently, the paradigm and review underpin suggested procedures for future mediation research.

International Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution A Taxonomic Analysis with Implications

International peacekeeping has undergone some dramatic changes in the past decade. This study represents what is one of the few systematic attempts to classify peacekeeping missions according to function. Yet the authors do not stop their investigation at this juncture. Using a theoretical framework derived from the scholarly literature on conflict management and resolution, the authors are able to scale different peacekeeping functions along two dimensions (primary vs. third-party roles and integrative vs. distributive processes) and understand their interrelationships. For example, how compatible might be the functions of traditional peacekeeping with newer roles such as nation building? From these results, implications for building theory in peacekeeping studies as well as more practical concerns, such as how peacekeeping soldiers might be trained for different missions, are discussed.

Malaysian Community Mediation

This study investigates the mediations of 127 village leaders (ketua kampungs) and 52 religious leaders (imams) in Malaysia. These mediators rely heavily on techniques of meeting with disputants (separately and together), listening to the disputants side, information gathering, and calling for concessions. They also use three distinct strategies: a “meet separately” strategy, an assertive strategy, and a strategy based on information gathering. The imams rely more on prayer, moral principles, listening, and third-party advice and call less often for concessions. Imams use a unique “meet together” strategy and prayer strategy.

Japanese Community and Organizational Mediation

This study investigated community and organizational mediation in Japan. Initially, hypotheses about community mediation were developed from a review of Japanese history and culture. These predictions were compared to data from interviews with Japanese students and subsequently with data collected in Japan. The comparisons yielded revised predictions about organizational conflict resolution, which were strongly supported by data collected in Japan. Specifically, it was found that the Japanese in their organizations, as in the community, infrequently use assertive mediation techniques such as criticism, education, and disputant separation. They are more apt to rely on nonassertive techniques such as gathering information from the disputants, listening to opinions, and relaying these between disputants. Such an approach is significantly less assertive than that used by the Chinese or the South Koreans.

Operantly conditioning a negotiator's concession making

Abstract This study investigated the effects of a bargaining strategy that rewards the opponents concessions. The first of four experiments revealed that a negotiators utilization of this reward strategy resulted in large concessions by and quick agreement with the opponent. The second experiment demonstrated that the large concessions continue after the rewards cease and the third, that two previously rewarded negotiatiors subsequently make large concessions to each other and reach quick agreements. Finally, the fourth experiment added strength to a reinforcement explanation of the results by eliminating an interpretation based upon a reciprocity effect.

Thai and U.S. Community Mediation.

The approaches of 111 Thai and a matched set of 111 U.S. community mediators are investigated. Results show that Thai mediators are more apt to be assertive in their mediations; they put disputants together, demand concessions, criticize disputants, and threaten them more frequently than do U.S. mediators. Thai mediators more frequently seek harmony by asking disputants to forgive each other and to apologize.

Community Mediation in South Korea A City-Village Comparison

This study complements and replicates an earlier one by comparing Korean community mediation in the city with that in the village. Reports from 34 city and 19 village mediators indicate that village mediators do handle more disputes. However, the techniques employed—both the types and frequency of use—differ slightly between the city and village.