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The ADR / CR Divide: An Autoethnographic Interrogation of its Impact on the Theory and Practice of Mediation

There is a divide between the fields of Conflict Resolution (CR) and Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR) that impacts on the transfer of knowledge and skills.
This is the central hypothesis investigated and confirmed through analysis of
the literatures of the two fields, the responses to a questionnaire to
practitioners, and autoethnographic interrogation.
A generational analysis of authors is combined with the results of a (N=28)
questionnaire with practitioners from both fields. This delineates the divide in
the theory and literature as well as how those operating in each field identify,
conceptualise mediation and what they read.
The autoethnography explores the fundamental impact of on conflict role
definitions generally and the mediator specifically. It then looks at the impact of
crossing the ADR/CR divide on mediation practice, highlighting the necessity for
practitioners of a ‘both and’ approach to skills/ knowledge and attitude/qualities.
This leads to the consideration of a framework for mediator competence across
the ADR/CR divide.
The interaction of the mediators’ normative project and the ability of parties to
self-determine is explored practically and ethically. This highlights a range of
issues with expectations mediation and mediators and foregrounds the impact
on the mediator of the mediator role.
It ends with a call for further research using innovative methodologies, such as
autoethnography, that illuminate mediation as a relational process.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/17417
Date January 2017
CreatorsPhillips, Isabel A.
ContributorsWoodhouse, Thomas, Hughes, Caroline, Whitman, Jim R.
PublisherUniversity of Bradford, University of Bradford, Faculty of Social Sciences
Source SetsBradford Scholars
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis, doctoral, PhD
Rights<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>.

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