MEDIATION AS A NEW PROCEDURE FOR RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT IN MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The article characterizes the concept of "conflict" as a dynamic socio-psychological process involving the clash of opposing or incompatible interests, needs, values, or views between individuals, groups, or institutions. This process manifests through emotional tension, communicative confrontation, or structural changes in relationships. It is established that conflicts are an integral phenomenon within organizations of various levels, but the quality of their prevention and resolution determines the overall effectiveness of management. The levels of conflict resolution approaches are identified as follows: strategic level – involves the creation of an effective and value-based corporate culture, the formation of moral and ethical norms, and principles of interaction within the organization; tactical level – focuses on the development and implementation of a system for managing ongoing conflicts; operational level – addresses conflict resolution in crisis situations. It is noted that at the tactical level, alternative conflict resolution methods, including mediation, are employed. The study highlights that mediation is a new tool for conflict resolution in Ukrainian society, facilitating effective communication between parties, minimizing legal costs, and fostering a culture of high-quality and constructive dialogue. Furthermore, mediation, as an effective management tool, performs several key functions at different levels of conflict resolution: at the strategic level, mediation helps shape corporate culture; at the tactical level, mediation is one of the most effective tools for conflict resolution while preserving positive relationships between the conflicting parties; at the operational level, mediation skills enable the optimization of administrative and managerial influence on conflict relations. The article emphasizes that to enhance management effectiveness, organizations should institutionalize the use of mediation at the strategic level. It is determined that mediation, as a management tool, contributes to the adaptation of organizations to qualitative communication and organizational-administrative changes.