NCJ Number
100035
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (November-December 1983) Pages: 195-210
Date Published
1983
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper considers the analytic function of mediation, the roles of judges and chief executive officers in mediation, and factors in ranking the effectiveness of mediators.
Abstract
Whereas disputants tend to restrict their analysis of a conflict to aspects of a predetermined position, a mediator uses analytical and problemsolving skills in reviewing all facts and approaches relevant to addressing the focal problem. This mediation analytic function is illustrated in a debate regarding future plans for the Mexico City Airport. Judges can act as mediators in civil disputes by facilitating negotiations, imposing deadlines for completing negotiations, reducing disputants' differences, suggesting options for agreement, and helping implement agreements. Business executives often mediate disputes among lower-level executives. A hypothetical case is used to illustrate a business executive's mediation function. In ranking the effectiveness of mediators, a promising approach is to score mediators on how well they perform various roles and then use these scores to assess their appropriateness for mediating particular types of disputes. A technique for developing such a ranking system is described. Three notes and three references are listed.