McCorkle and Melanie’s book on the case of the Ad Agency provides for a very scholarly read for anyone who is interested in this sector. The book outlines and explains the principles that should be applied in the Ad Agency. In addition, it gives the concepts and models in mediation, as well as the ethical standards that should be followed. Ethics can be defined as the code of behavior in business practices. Ethics also refer to day to day interactions and how people and businesses should interact.
The models explained in this book include narrative, transformative, evaluative and facilitative models of mediation. Narrative mediation focuses on negotiation between people and businesses. Through the narration of the events and stories, a reality is created and gives the parties a sense of the situation. Transformative mediation on the other hand, involves less structure than evaluative mediation. It is about recognition and empowerment. The parties are advised to make their own decisions to solve their conflicts. Evaluative mediation, however, requires the involvement of legal practitioners. It is very structured. The weaknesses and strengths of the case or rather, the weaknesses and strengths of the Ad Agency are evaluated, and a decision between the conflicting parties is made. Finally, facilitative mediation refers to involvement of a facilitator. The facilitator only facilitates the discussion. The parties involved then make their own decision. The above are mediation models used in the Ad Agency. In mediation, the most important concept is the concept of confidentiality,
When it comes to ethics, the standards have been set very high. Ethical issues in any society or sector take center stage. For instance, in the interactions of people, there is supposed to be honesty, trust, humility and faithfulness. It follows that in the interaction between businesses and their customers, as well as other parties, such ethical matters must be present. As said, ethics is just a code of behavior. Therefore, businesses must employ high standards of ethics.
Like McCorkle and Melanie’s book, Bush and Joseph’s book provide great insights about the topic of discussion. Models and concepts of mediation, as well as ethical matters, are very significant in the Ad agency. Though these are not the only books which address these issues, they are the best. They not only describe and explain what the Ad Agency is, but they go ahead and explain the concept. The authors are very knowledgeable about the subject. They also have extensive experience in business practices. ‘The Promise of Mediation” is a very good read. However, most information contained in has already been discussed above. The models and concepts of mediation, as well as ethical issues in the Ad Agency, have already been outlined and explained. Therefore, the best model in the case of the Ad Agency where the parties had disputes about ethical concerns and balancing of power must be looked at in detail. The case also had neutrality issues. Confidentiality is the most important concept in mediation.
The best model to serve the parties to the dispute would be the Transformative model. This model would also address ethical concerns of neutrality, confidentiality and power balancing. As defined before, Transformative mediation is an interpersonal kind of mediation that focuses on two key processes. That is recognition and empowerment. It involves using a mediator who must have not only confidentiality, but also bust be transformative enough. The mediator must empower the parties and let them make their own decisions. This model is very organic and responsive to the needs of the parties involved. This is because the parties are the ones who are in charge of the contents. These contents must be substantive. The mediator supports both parties as the conflict resolution unfolds. This process is very relationship oriented and helps in the building of relationships.
The reason why the above model is the best is because it gives the parties the avenue to resolve their dispute alone without tiring processes. If evaluative mediation is used, it would mean using resources and time, both of which are expensive. The parties would go through tedious legal processes. Nevertheless, if transformative mediation fails, the best would be evaluative. This is because it would mean that the parties are unable to come agree, and the best avenue to solve their dispute would be in court. Narrative mediation and facilitative mediation are rather shallow models. Thus, they are not advisable.
Another good reason why the transformative mediation should be used is because of the disputing parties. The parties are business partners who would respond to two matters. That is recognition and empowerment. Transformative mediation involves using a mediator who must have not only confidentiality, but also bust be transformative enough. This model is the best is because it considers ethics of all the parties involved. The ad Agency case is a case that would require participants to have the required code of behavior. Issues like confidentiality and trust which lead to understanding between disputing parties must be present.
In conclusion, The Ad Agency Dispute would best be solved by Transformative model. Transformative mediation on the other hand, involves less structure than evaluative mediation. It is about recognition and empowerment. The parties are advised to make their own decisions to solve their conflicts. Evaluative mediation, however, requires the involvement of legal practitioners. It is very structured. This is why it is the best to be used in this case. The ethical standards would be observed in this case and the Ad Agency parties would get the opportunity to get empowerment and recognition. This is what the parties would want.
References
Bush, R. A., &Folger, J. P. (2005). The promise of mediation: The transformative approach to conflict. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
McCorkle, S., & Reese, M. (2005). Mediation theory and practice. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
