UMI/ProQuest URL	http://80-wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3077546
PUBLICATION NUMBER	AAT 3077546
TITLE	From conflict to collaboration: Experiences of multiparty policy-level stakeholder situations
AUTHOR	Jones, Helen Marie
DEGREE	PhD
SCHOOL	FIELDING GRADUATE INSTITUTE
DATE	2003
PAGES	331
ADVISER	Appelbaum, Richard
ISBN	0-493-98011-3
SOURCE	DAI-B 64/01, p. 464, Jul 2003
SUBJECT	PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL (0451)
ABSTRACT	Individuals participating in policy-level stakeholder processes intended to resolve conflict are acknowledged in the literature as crucial to the success of these processes. However, little information exists about what these experiences are like for them or what affect their experience has on outcomes for policymaking. This dissertation profiles such self-reported experiences. Study participants include staff working on a mediation of statewide providers of services to people with disabilities, a negotiator in a mediation involving a grassroots organization challenging practices of an industry group and involving regulatory issues for state and federal agencies, and an intervener/convener of a sustained dialogue among factions within a former USSR territory. The study is situated in the literature regarding conflict resolution, human development, psychology and stakeholder processes addressing policy-level issues. The methodological orientation is applied social phenomenology with qualities of reflexive inquiry. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, and from public and private records. The analysis is inductive interpretation. Features pertaining to reflexive research are addressed. Findings indicate that involvement in mediation and sustained dialogue evoked intense responses and demanded creativity, active and empathic listening, reflexivity and a generous and pragmatic view of humanity. At times the participants reported involvement as immensely rewarding and at times exhausting, frustrating and disappointing. It appears that the participant's role in the process, whether as an advocate or non-partisan intervener, may affect level of frustration and exhaustion. It also appears that existence of a mental model of the process and role clarity eases navigation through the processes. Key indications are that there is a significant difference relationally and in terms of substantive outcomes when procedural agreements create dialogic communication patterns and a sense of a shared investigation. Additionally, process duration and documentation practices appear to effect outcomes. The research demonstrates the value of applied social phenomenological and reflexive research perspectives. It corroborates the value of attending to process and the relational aspects inherent in any conflict resolution process. It facilitates understanding about the participants' experiences of stakeholder processes by adding actual accounts of such experiences to… (UMI abstract ends here)