ú ’ há há á Bridging the Gap Between Workplace Mediation Research and Practice: The Irish Experience NW Dispute Resolution Conference 2016 Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á Presentation Overview The framework of our approach The context of workplace mediation in Ireland The case for bridging the research-practice gap The KIWMRG as a „ Community of Practice ‟ Why we formed Who we are Co-operative Enquiry as our method of choice Unique features of our approach The MII Project as an example of how we operate What does this mean for you? Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
Framing our Approach Establishing a Using „Co - workplace operative A real project as mediation Enquiry‟ as our a case in point „Community of research Practice‟ method Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
Conflict Management Practices & Innovations in Organizations Conventional Practices ADR Practices • Open-door policies • ‘Speak - up’ & related systems • Organizational ombudsman • External and internal mediators • Review panels of managers or peers • Multi-step grievance & Individual • Union/non-union employment arbitration disciplinary procedures • ADR-led conflict management systems Grievances • Proactive conflict prevention • Resort to employment tribunals & • Intensive communications surrounding litigation in courts change management • Proactive line and supervisory engagement in conflict handling • Conflict management systems • Socializing conflict out of the organization • ‘Assisted bargaining/mediation within procedure to avoid impasse • ‘Brainstorming’ & related techniques • ‘Interest - based bargaining’ with facilitation Collective • Multi-step disputes procedures, • Fact-finding Disputes usually with provision for • Arbitration, ‘mini - trials’ & ‘med -arb ’ external conciliation or • Intensive communications surrounding change management adjudication following an impasse • ADR-led conflict management systems • Proactive conflict prevention • Proactive line and supervisory engagement in conflict handling • Conflict management systems • Socializing conflict out of the organization
Workplace Conflict in Ireland What emerges from research into alternative dispute resolution practice in Ireland is: ... a picture of mediation as a mechanism of which the operation and efficacy depend upon the context in which it is located. Senior managers may use it as a central part of HR strategy, they may see it as a somewhat peripheral element of an overall strategy that relies primarily upon strong management-union linkages, or they may envisage it as an unformed, yet to be clarified, set of possibilities and potentials (Teague et al, 2015:112) Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
The Use of Mediation in Ireland State Institutions External Mediators Internal Mediation Services Workplace Mediation Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á The Case for Research Solid, empirical, issue-driven research: Provides evidence for what we think we know It broadens perspective beyond our own It enhances the credibility of a profession and helps obtain/justify resources It provides new ideas to try out in new contexts It can address „burning‟ questions that have accumulated It can inform policy & practice Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
The Case for Research-Informed Practice Practicing mediators have a responsibility to at least draw from, if not support or engage in, mediation research. I realized that without understanding the underlying theoretical principles of practice, we are merely skilled mechanics trying out one tool after another without understanding what tool would be appropriate to the task. (Lang, 2000) Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
The Traditional Approach to Research Focus is on theoretical development ú ’ há há á Often no direct link to practice Empirical dimension involves academics studying practice from the outside Practitioners become the „subject‟ Key outcome - publication in high ranked journals which few „real‟ people read Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
Community of Practice Dynamic social structure Common issues/concerns Focus on individual & group goals Defined life cycle Spirit of learning & collaboration Trust, mutual respect, reciprocity & commitment Create, capture & diffuse knowledge Tangible results applicable to practice Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
The KIWMRG as a Community of Practice ú ’ há há á KIWMRG Advisory Steering Group Committee Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
The Co-operative Inquiry Method Collaboration of academics and practitioners Active research Creative ways of identifying and addressing the issues Focus on making practice better Follows a specific sequential iterative process Can be internally or externally initiated Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
The Co-operative Inquiry Method Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á Key Elements of our Approach Research „with‟ rather than research „on‟ Merging of the researcher and the subject Focused enquiry with the aim of shaping the future Live research questions identified by peers Research by practitioners for practitioners Egalitarian structure A „learning community‟ focused on continuous learning and personal development Theory informing practice and practice informing theory Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
Identifying the issues: The KI Workplace Mediation Research Seminar 2015 ú ’ há há á Key Areas of Research Strategic Goals Overarching Ambition Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á Seminar Outputs Overall ambition: To establish Ireland as an international hub for workplace mediation research Strategic goals: Co-ordination of workplace mediation in Ireland 1. Gathering and publishing what has been done to 2. date Maximizing involvement in this area. 3. Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á Identified Key Research Areas Effective mediation Cost benefit analysis practice The future of workplace Barriers to mediation use mediation Ethics Trade unions and organisations Mediation regulation Regulation and third Internal or external party frameworks mediation Professional membership Engaging participation in mediation Conflict competence Experience of mediation Mediation practice Outcomes from mediation Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á Activity # 1: Identify three research areas/questions that you believe should be prioritised in your context? (Creative, brainstorming!) Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á Activity # 2: How could a Community of Practice be established in your context to address these questions? (Creative, brainstorming!) Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
Effective Mediation Practice: The MII Project The Role of the MII What motivated the Project Why us? What was the brief? How did we approach the task? Progress to date Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
Approaching the MII Project through Co- operative Enquiry Invitation for participation to those in KIWMRG Skill building – library, literature review, writing for publication Shared Dropbox organised in initial agreed folder structure Sourcing empirical research academic descriptive literature and “grey” literature Reflection on approach and reorganisation based on learning Egalitarian structure and consensus decision-making Shared template for review of assigned documents Initial thematic analysis based on reviews Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á In Conclusion What has all this got to do with you? Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
ú ’ há há á For queries and/or further information please contact: Dr. Deirdre Curran, NUI Galway deirdre.curran@nuigalway.ie Treasa Kenny, Burtenshaw Kenny Associates tkenny@eircom.net Alec Coakley, Conflict Mediation alec@conflictmediation.ie Or visit us: www.kiwmrg.ie Deirdre Curran, Treasa Kenny, Alec Coakley
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