the latest issue of organizational dynamics has an article entitled ‘conflict resolution in virtual teams’. below is the abstract and citation details. i don’t have access to the article so haven’t read it yet but it would be fascinating to read about negotiation and mediation.

Conflict Resolution in Virtual Teams
Yuhyung Shin. Organizational Dynamics. New York: 2005.Vol.34, Iss. 4; pg. 331

Despite the wide spread of virtual teams, little has been known abut group processes, let alone conflict resolution, in such teams. A growing number of organizations are adopting virtual team systems to deal with the rapidly changing environment. To increase the effectiveness of virtual teams, sources of conflict and ways to resolve conflict should be explored. This paper aims at identifying sources of conflict in virtual teams and suggesting how they can be resolved using electronic means. Virtual negotiation and mediation systems are introduced as conflict resolution mechanisms for virtual team members. In addition, examples of virtual negotiation and mediation are provided to help readers understand the process of virtual conflict resolution. Assessment and training of virtual conflict resolution skills as well as the implications of virtual conflict resolution systems are addressed.

was looking at some old brw issues & noticed a summary of an article from the march harvard biz review. the hbr article is ‘want collaboration?’ by jeff weiss and jonathan hughes. the brw summary says weiss & hughes advise the reasons for conflict need to be addressed before collaboration occurs and suggest 6 strategies for managing conflict (below). somehow i missed this article back in march but have just grabbed it so i’ll have a read later.

they suggest having an agreed method for conflict resolution, provide tools to assist in reaching compromises, making sure managers take responsibility for escalating conflicts, use escalation as an opportunity for coaching & creating a transparent conflict resolution process.

all of which are great ideas for both virtual & f2f teams. but more on this later.

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