Building Partnerships: A Contemporary Approach to Conflict Management

There has been an important trend in business away from an "us versus them" attitude toward a mind-set of "partnership." In everything from labor relations to car buying, there is an emphasis on getting workers and management, buyers and sellers together in collaborative relationships. This text combines a traditional approach to conflict management (win-win) with an emphasis on partnering. While the idea of partnering is integrated throughout the book, the authors are also prudent enough to send a cautionary note that some partnerships are more talk than action. This book is written in a practical and applied manner. It is appropriate for any first course in conflict management, whether undergraduate or graduate, or a corporate workshop. The book incorporates exercises, case studies, and self-assessment tests. It includes many real-world examples taken from the authors' experiences.