Business Sector Accepts Mediation
Venessa Robinson
Cleary University
Wider acceptance of negotiation and mediation in the business sector can be accomplished through information technology (IT) and internet technology. Negotiation is an interpersonal decision-making process necessary whenever two or more parties cannot achieve our objectives single-handedly according to Leigh Thompson’s book, The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator. Discussions are held with the intent to produce an agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, a mediator can be hired to assist with the resolving the dispute instead of going to court. Mediation is a process in which the parties select a mutually impartial and neutral person’s who will assist them in the negotiation of differences.
Pin pointing the exact origins of mediations is difficult, but can be traced back to biblical times. In the Amplified Bible on BibleGateway.com, Matthews 18:15-17 give us an early account of mediation. It says “If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed and upheld by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector.” This is the earliest account of have a third party help to settle a dispute.
According to Johann Wolfgang Textor, scholarly mediation literature existed as early as 1680. Navajo Indians had their own dispute resolution procedure which was named Hozhooji Naat’aanii; also known as Peacemaker, but in ...