A complexity that often comes into play in conflict resolution is when the parties in the conflict are from different cultures. When this is the case, parties often have different expectations about the conflict resolution process as well as different goals. Some cultures emphasize relationships in the process; others emphasize issues. Some value formalized, legally binding agreements while others favor informal agreements based on trust. In addition, cultural differences can contribute to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, misperceptions, and miscommunication, all of which reduce the chance for conflicts to be resolved and, in some cases, even lead to the escalation of the conflict. Therefore, bringing awareness and understanding of culture and cultural differences to any given situation can enhance the probability of understanding, maximize the chance of success in resolving conflicts, and reduce the likelihood of escalating conflict.
· Review the online article, “Culture and Conflict,” at http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/culture-conflictLinks to an external site. . Note how culture influences conflict and conflict resolution as well as how to address issues related to culture.
· Review the online article, “Culture-Based Negotiation Styles,” at http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/culture-negotiationLinks to an external site. . Consider the variables that can impact the process and outcomes of conflict resolution. Study the grid that compares countries in terms of what they identify as indicators of success in a negotiation. Think about how these might play out. Also review the information about the various countries’ negotiation styles and, again, think of how they would affect negotiations between parties from these countries.
· Review the online article “Cross-Cultural Communication,” at http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/cross-cultural_communication/Links to an external site. . Examine the variables explained and relate it to the information you read in the previous Web article.
· Select two countries from “Culture-Based Negotiation Styles” to use for this Discussion. With these countries in mind, select two variables, from “Culture-Based Negotiations Styles,” and “Cross-Cultural Communication” that you think would likely have the most significant effect on negotiations between parties in the countries that you selected, the effect they might have, and why.
· Study the comparison grid for the two countries that you selected, noting the similarities and differences between the countries on what they identified as key indicators of success in negotiations.
· Revisit the information about negotiation styles for the two counties that you selected.
· Based on the countries’ negotiation styles and what they identified as key factors of success in negotiations, what can you conclude about how negotiations might go between the countries and what the involved parties should attend to or watch out for?
With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 4 a brief description of the two variables that you selected that you think could have significant impact on negotiations between/among parties from the two countries that you selected. Explain why you choose these particular variables, how the countries would differ on each, and how the differences might affect negotiations between them. Then, based on the information presented in the comparison grid, explain what conclusions you might draw about negotiation between the two countries in terms of how the negotiations would go and what the involved parties should attend to or watch out for. Note: Include the two countries that you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who discussed at least one different country from the ones you did.
Resources:
· Coleman, P., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, E. (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA : Jossey-Bass.