Conflict resolution
Conflict resolution is the process of addressing disagreements to reach workable agreements, settlements, or ways to manage continuing differences.
Negotiation: A process in which parties communicate to reach an agreement through discussion and exchange. Parties can negotiate directly to settle a disagreement without a third-party decision-maker.
Conflict: A perceived incompatibility between people or groups over goals, values, resources, or actions. Conflict is the disagreement that resolution methods seek to address.
Litigation: The process of resolving a legal dispute through a court proceeding and judicial decision. Court proceedings differ from consensual settlement by placing the outcome with a judge.
Workplace conflict: Disagreement among people or groups arising in an employment setting. Workplace disputes often require processes that preserve ongoing working relationships.
Procedural justice: The perceived fairness of the processes used to make decisions and resolve disputes. Fair procedures can increase acceptance of outcomes, even when parties make concessions.
Mediation: A process in which an impartial third party helps disputants communicate and seek a voluntary agreement. A mediator structures discussion while leaving the settlement decision with the parties.
Conflict analysis: A systematic examination of a conflict’s actors, causes, dynamics, and possible responses. Analysis clarifies what drives a dispute before choosing a process.
Avoidance coping: A response to stress that evades, denies, or withdraws from the source of difficulty. Avoiding a dispute may postpone engagement rather than resolve its underlying issues.
International mediation: Third-party assistance to states or other international actors seeking to settle a dispute. Mediators can help opposing parties communicate when direct talks stall.
Distributive justice: The perceived fairness of how benefits, burdens, or resources are allocated. A settlement’s allocation can determine whether parties regard it as fair.