AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR MEDIATOR EFFECTIVENESS

STEVEN BRIGGS AND DANIEL J. KOYS

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DOI: 10.2190/E3MH-E1U6-K94T-A34J

Abstract

This study employs data from thirty-three mediators in a state mediation agency to determine what makes some labor mediators more effective than others. Mediator effectiveness was measured through performance evaluation data supplied by the agency director. The results suggest that mediator experience is an ingredient critical to effectiveness. Mediator tenacity (not taking "no" for an answer) is also important. Effectiveness is also related to the mediator's taking an active role (e.g., pressuring the parties with successive proposals for compromise rather than simply relaying messages from one party to the other).

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