Purpose -This paper aims to explore language strategies and techniques in Chinese mediation that ... more Purpose -This paper aims to explore language strategies and techniques in Chinese mediation that are adopted by mediators to motivate and facilitate compromise among disputants. Design/methodology/approach -Ten cases were audio-recorded on the spot, transcribed for analysis in their Chinese form, and then translated into English for English readers. The translation of excerpts used in this paper to demonstrate points was double checked to ensure accuracy. Discourse analysis was adopted to explore the meanings and functions of the utterances in these excerpts. Findings -It is found that power is embedded in the mediator's position and in his/her role in the mediation. Furthermore, neutrality is less of a concern as compared to justice in the mediator's terms. Finally, socio-cultural indications of the language strategies and techniques were drawn about contemporary Chinese society. Practical implications -When dealing with Chinese people in conflict, one may emphasize common goals and bring in external reasons such as seniority, face, and status to motivate and facilitate compromise. Originality/value -Studying transcripts of cases that were recorded in real time and recently is rare in studies of Chinese mediation. Studying what people actually say provides us data in reality, in contrast to the ideals as well as what they say they do in mediation.
In an analysis of ten Chinese mediation episodes, three complementary strategies were identified:... more In an analysis of ten Chinese mediation episodes, three complementary strategies were identified: the strategy to bring about a predetermined outcome, the strategy to alleviate adversity and the strategy to promote compromise. In this paper, the strategy to alleviate adversity between disputing parties is discussed. The strategy discussed here includes two tactics -balancing and minimization. Balancing is defined in this paper as making both sides appear to be evenly matched by comforting one party in front of the other, whom the mediator's "pre-determined outcome" favours. Minimization is a tactic of framing, where the mediator frames the event in such a way as to minimize the focal point or the cause of the conflict. This analysis reflects the typical Chinese value of seeking the middle way and concern with guanxi (interrelation). It is argued that, by adopting these tactics in order to solve "intangible issues" (i.e. adversity/hostility) (Lewicki and Litterer, 1985), Chinese mediators would violate neutrality, in order for the disputants to clear the barriers to reaching an agreement.
Gold Medal Mediation, a Chinese TV reality show, demonstrates conflict management through thirdpa... more Gold Medal Mediation, a Chinese TV reality show, demonstrates conflict management through thirdparty mediation on TV, has achieved mounting viewing rate in China over the past five years. This study analyzed seven conflict mediation episodes of the program recorded from the Jiangxi Satellite TV. The conflicts ranged from problems between married couples, to the disagreement between parents and their only child, the controversial teenage romance, as well as the disputes with the in-laws and among neighbors. This study found that, on the one hand, the program serves as a means to propagate the mainstream traditions and values for conflict management in today's Chinese society; on the other hand, the mediation model shown on TV manifests the social and cultural expectations of how conflict should be resolved, especially by addressing the emotions of the disputants and tackling the relational aspect of the conflict. [China Media Research. 2013; 9(4): 5-14]
This article explores Chinese employees' views of conflict management norms and their coping stra... more This article explores Chinese employees' views of conflict management norms and their coping strategies in a U.S.-based multinational corporation (MNC) subsidiary in inland China. Twenty-seven interviews were conducted with employees of a renowned large-scale American Information Technology (IT) company in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in Southwest China. The findings showed that the company's norm of conflict management is constructive confrontation, and the Chinese employees have contradictory attitudes when they are required to adopt it in everyday conflict management. During the process, the local employees bear burdens to conform to the MNC norms and culture, and have developed coping strategies such as switching mode, seeking hard facts, resorting to off-line talk, and turning to a third party of higher authority for intervention.
Purpose -This paper aims to explore language strategies and techniques in Chinese mediation that ... more Purpose -This paper aims to explore language strategies and techniques in Chinese mediation that are adopted by mediators to motivate and facilitate compromise among disputants. Design/methodology/approach -Ten cases were audio-recorded on the spot, transcribed for analysis in their Chinese form, and then translated into English for English readers. The translation of excerpts used in this paper to demonstrate points was double checked to ensure accuracy. Discourse analysis was adopted to explore the meanings and functions of the utterances in these excerpts. Findings -It is found that power is embedded in the mediator's position and in his/her role in the mediation. Furthermore, neutrality is less of a concern as compared to justice in the mediator's terms. Finally, socio-cultural indications of the language strategies and techniques were drawn about contemporary Chinese society. Practical implications -When dealing with Chinese people in conflict, one may emphasize common goals and bring in external reasons such as seniority, face, and status to motivate and facilitate compromise. Originality/value -Studying transcripts of cases that were recorded in real time and recently is rare in studies of Chinese mediation. Studying what people actually say provides us data in reality, in contrast to the ideals as well as what they say they do in mediation.
In an analysis of ten Chinese mediation episodes, three complementary strategies were identified:... more In an analysis of ten Chinese mediation episodes, three complementary strategies were identified: the strategy to bring about a predetermined outcome, the strategy to alleviate adversity and the strategy to promote compromise. In this paper, the strategy to alleviate adversity between disputing parties is discussed. The strategy discussed here includes two tactics -balancing and minimization. Balancing is defined in this paper as making both sides appear to be evenly matched by comforting one party in front of the other, whom the mediator's "pre-determined outcome" favours. Minimization is a tactic of framing, where the mediator frames the event in such a way as to minimize the focal point or the cause of the conflict. This analysis reflects the typical Chinese value of seeking the middle way and concern with guanxi (interrelation). It is argued that, by adopting these tactics in order to solve "intangible issues" (i.e. adversity/hostility) (Lewicki and Litterer, 1985), Chinese mediators would violate neutrality, in order for the disputants to clear the barriers to reaching an agreement.
Gold Medal Mediation, a Chinese TV reality show, demonstrates conflict management through thirdpa... more Gold Medal Mediation, a Chinese TV reality show, demonstrates conflict management through thirdparty mediation on TV, has achieved mounting viewing rate in China over the past five years. This study analyzed seven conflict mediation episodes of the program recorded from the Jiangxi Satellite TV. The conflicts ranged from problems between married couples, to the disagreement between parents and their only child, the controversial teenage romance, as well as the disputes with the in-laws and among neighbors. This study found that, on the one hand, the program serves as a means to propagate the mainstream traditions and values for conflict management in today's Chinese society; on the other hand, the mediation model shown on TV manifests the social and cultural expectations of how conflict should be resolved, especially by addressing the emotions of the disputants and tackling the relational aspect of the conflict. [China Media Research. 2013; 9(4): 5-14]
This article explores Chinese employees' views of conflict management norms and their coping stra... more This article explores Chinese employees' views of conflict management norms and their coping strategies in a U.S.-based multinational corporation (MNC) subsidiary in inland China. Twenty-seven interviews were conducted with employees of a renowned large-scale American Information Technology (IT) company in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in Southwest China. The findings showed that the company's norm of conflict management is constructive confrontation, and the Chinese employees have contradictory attitudes when they are required to adopt it in everyday conflict management. During the process, the local employees bear burdens to conform to the MNC norms and culture, and have developed coping strategies such as switching mode, seeking hard facts, resorting to off-line talk, and turning to a third party of higher authority for intervention.
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