| Author: | Poitras, J. |
| Title: | The paradox of accepting one's share of responsibility in mediation |
| Journal: | Negotiation Journal
2007 : VOL. 23:3, p.267-282 |
| Index terms: | responsibility co-operation |
| Freeterms: | mediation workplace conflict |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | This article explores the role of responsibility within the context of various mediation approaches and styles. It reports the results of a quantitative study that examined the attitudes of disputants involved in workplace conflict mediations. The findings indicate that acceptance of responsibility can play a paradoxical role in the mediation process: it seems to be effective only when both parties jointly acknowledge responsibility. When responsibility is acknowledged unilaterally, it seems to have a negative effect on the emergence of cooperation. The article proposes an intervention strategy for mediators designed to encourage the joint acceptance of responsibility and thus facilitate the emergence of cooperation in mediation. |
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