An International Comparison of Workplace Mediation Services (IRL/NZ)

This paper presents new material from a research project exploring public provisions for workplace mediation across two national jurisdictions. Linking theory and practice the project draws on the work of Befort and Budd (2009) as its theoretical lens. They propose that the objectives of conflict management systems are a combination of efficiency, equity and voice and these objectives need to be balanced in order to ensure fairness and effectiveness. The project methodology draws on the perspective of a wide range of stakeholders and both qualitative and quantitative methods are adopted to ensure sufficient depth and breadth of material. Whilst existing structures and institutions of dispute resolution in the two countries bear similarities, differences in national culture, political ideology, economic and social contexts go some way to charting the distinct evolutionary path of the mediation services in each jurisdiction as this paper will illustrate and discuss.