Perspectives On Negotiation

In a world where conflicts are commonplace and almost unavoidable, negotiation is recommended as the preferred approach for productively handling the outcomes of disputes. In addition, negotiation is recognized as an enabler of a constructive, grounded attitude toward conflict. This book advocates that perspective-taking is a superior competency to effectively understand the points of view of others, as well as a means to create a beneficial outcome to a conflict, attain sustainable business and solutions, and develop healthier relationships. The three central themes presented in this book: conflict, negotiation, and interpersonal perspective-taking, provide different important insights into the handling of disputes and the practice of negotiation. In-depth understanding of these themes enables the negotiator to forge a “three-dimensional” instrument for effective conflict management. The concept of conflict is first introduced, followed by an examination of the negotiation process, including negotiation strategies, negotiation phases, negotiation competencies, and styles. Considerable attention is then paid to interpersonal perspective-taking and its critical role in successful interpersonal negotiation strategies, before a theoretical discussion on negotiation research models concludes the book. The intent throughout this book is to empower the reader to make the best of every conflict situation and contribute to harmonious and respectful working environments. Every individual, employee, and leader is encouraged to become a proficient negotiator who seeks mutually productive and successful results. The mutual wins require careful consideration of the other’s perspective and interests. Although this work primarily addresses professional contexts, the principles and their applications are also highly useful for everyday situations.

Describes a method of negotiation that isolates problems, focuses on interests, creates new options, and uses objective criteria to help two parties reach an agreement.

In the global marketplace, negotiation frequently takes place across cultural boundaries, yet negotiation theory has traditionally been grounded in Western culture. This book, which provides an in-depth review of the field of negotiation theory, expands current thinking to include cross-cultural perspectives. The contents of the book reflect the diversity of negotiation—research-negotiator cognition, motivation, emotion, communication, power and disputing, intergroup relationships, third parties, justice, technology, and social dilemmas—and provides new insight into negotiation theory, questioning assumptions, expanding constructs, and identifying limits not apparent from working exclusively within one culture. The book is organized in three sections and pairs chapters on negotiation theory with chapters on culture. The first part emphasizes psychological processes—cognition, motivation, and emotion. Part II examines the negotiation process. The third part emphasizes the social context of negotiation. A final chapter synthesizes the main themes of the book to illustrate how scholars and practitioners can capitalize on the synergy between culture and negotiation research.

'There's an excitement generated in these essays, as the authors seek to push toward the creation of new and alternative processes. Not content only to tie the "artificial" phenomena of the laboratory to the field, a number of the researchers are creating new phenomena in their own experiments and simulations. These social "inventions" portend policy applications to negotiation processes that are of significance to those practitioners working within a myriad of sites, from labor-management relations to international affairs.' -- Harold Guetzkow

This is a valuable book. It is a rare combination of appreciation and criticism; it is an eloquent statement of conceptual advocacy. Negotiation as a Social Process attempts the difficult task of the needed reform of a successful field and it does so by example as well as precept. . . . Kramer and Messick have done their research colleagues a great service; let us hope that they make the most of it. --Robert L. Kahn, Professor Emeritus, The University of Michigan "Negotiation as a Social Process puts the ′social′ back in negotiation theory and research, where it belongs. Consisting of contributions by some of today′s leading negotiation researchers, this volume is a direct response to the undue emphasis placed in recent years on the role of cognition in negotiation. Just as one needs two hands to clap (unless you are a Zen Buddhist), one needs two or more sides to negotiate. This excellent collection explicitly addresses the social and relational context in which negotiations invariably occur and, in doing so, returns the discussion to its proper place." --Jeff Rubin, Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School In the past several years, negotiation and conflict management research has emerged as one of the most active and productive areas of research in organizational behavior. Although most research has focused on the cognitive aspects of negotiation, few address the impact of social processes and contexts on the negotiation process. Because negotiations always occur in the context of some preexisting social relationship between the negotiating parties, this neglect is unfortunate. Editors Rod Kramer and Dave Messick have brought together original theory and research from many of the leading scholars in this important and emerging area of negotiation research. Negotiation as a Social Process covers a wide range of topics, including the role of group identification and accountability on negotiator judgment and decision making, the importance of power-dependence relations on negotiation, intergroup bargaining, coalitional dynamics in bargaining, social influence processes in negotiation, cross-cultural perspectives on negotiation, and the impact of social relationships on negotiation. Scholars, students, and professionals in organization, management, and communication studies will find Negotiation as a Social Process an important and thought-provoking volume.

This book reinforces the foundation of a new field of studies and research in the intersection between social sciences and specifically between political science, international relations, diplomacy, psychotherapy, and social-cognitive psychology. It seeks to promote a coherent and comprehensive approach to international negotiation from a multidisciplinary viewpoint generating a longer term of studies, researches, and networking process that both respond to changes and differences in our societies and to the unprecedented demand and opportunities for international conflict prevention and resolution. There is a need to increase cooperation, coherence, and efficiency of international negotiation. It is necessary to focus our shared attention on new ways to better formulate integrated and sustainable negotiating strategies for conflict resolution. This book acquires innovative relevance in and will impact on the new context of international challenges which do not have a one-off solution that can be settled through a single target-oriented negotiation process. The book brings together leading scholars and researchers into the field from different disciplines, diplomats, politicians, senior officials, and even a Cardinal of the Holy See to give their contributions and make proposals on how best to optimize the use of negotiation and diplomacy structures, tools, and instruments. However, unlike most studies and researches on international negotiation, this book emphasizes processes, not simply outcomes or even tools but the way in which tools are and can be used to achieve better outcomes in international reality-based negotiation.

The framing metaphor is commonly used in negotiation and communication research to characterize how individuals place interpretive and linguistic boundaries around phenomena, objects, or events. This book develops this construct, exploring its potential to provide research insights, and illustrating new strategies for further development. Divided into three sections, the book first captures the breadth of the theoretical framing construct, then focuses on the many ways in which the construct has been researched and applied. The final section reflects on the construct's potential, and its value in understanding negotiation. An inspiring group of contributors - all experts in framing theory and conflict/negotiation management - outline how the framing construct is viewed theoretically by research scholars, and in the field by conflict resolution practitioners.

Master the art of getting what you need with a more collaborative approach to negotiation Quantum Negotiation is a handbook for getting what you need using a mindset and behaviors based on a refreshingly expansive perspective on negotiation. Rather that viewing every negotiation as an antagonistic and combative relationship, this book shows you how to move beyond the traditional pseudo win-win to construct a deal in which all parties get what they need. By exploring who we are as negotiators in the context of social conditioning, this model examines the cognitive, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual aspects of negotiation to help you produce more sustainable, prosperous, and satisfying agreements. We often think of negotiation as taking place in a boardroom, a car dealership, or any other contract-centered situation; in reality, we are negotiating every time we ask for something we need or want. Building more robust negotiation behaviors that resonate beyond the boardroom requires a deep engagement with others and a clear mindset of interdependence. This book helps you shift your perspective and build these important skills through a journey of discovery, reflection, and action. Rethink your assumptions about negotiations, your self-perception, your counterpart, and the overall relationship Adopt new tools that clarify what you want, why you need it, and how your counterpart can also get what they want and need Challenge fundamental world views related to negotiation, and shift from adversarial to engaging and satisfying Understand the unseen forces at work in any negotiation, and prevent them from derailing your success In the interest of creating an environment that elevates everyone’s participation and assists them in reaching their full potential, Quantum Negotiation addresses the reality of hardball and coercion with a focus on engaging the human spirit to create new opportunities and resources.