The Global Diversity Desk Reference: Managing an International Workforce

5.5. CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE STRATEGIES FOR RESOLVING CONFLICT

Research has shown that there are twelve variables in every international conflict or negotiation:^[]

• Basic conception of conflict–What conflict is, whether it brings crisis or opportunity;

• Mediator or negotiator selection criteria–Whether a mediator is used and, if so, what skills he or she must display;

• Significance of type of issue–Whether the conflict is task-based or relationship-based and how that affects outcome;

• Concern with protocol–Whether protocol rules are formal or informal;

• Complexity of language–The degree of reliance on nonverbal cues to convey information and whether the culture is high-context or low-context, as described in Chapter 3;

• Nature of persuasive arguments–Whether ...