Conflict Resolution System Research Articles

Abegar indigenous conflict resolution system: a community‐based reconciliation

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the Abegar indigenous conflict resolution system based on community reconciliation in Haberu Woreda, North Wollo.Design/methodology/approachThis study has used a qualitative research design and descriptive nature. The study collected primary data from different informants by using such qualitative data collection techniques as an interview, focus group discussions and observation to achieve the research objectives.FindingsAccordingly, the finding of the study revealed that Abegars indigenous conflict resolution system aims at the restoration of order and harmony of the community. The types of conflicts presented and resolved in the community are inter-personal, homicide, inter-group in nature, which stemmed from the abduction of girls and women, violation of social values, theft, conflict over claims of a girl, competition over ownership of land and drunkenness. The findings further show that family reconciliation, blood reconciliation (dem maderk) and compensation performance are the major community reconciliation procedures (methods) of conflict management used by the studied community depending on the nature and types of conflicts.Originality/valueThis symbolic and practical significance to established trust between conflicting parties that their relationship is restored.

Traditional Conflict Resolution in Awi Society, Northwest Ethiopia: Practices and Challenges in the Contemporary World

ABSTRACT This study is aimed at exploring the traditional conflict resolution system of the Awi: the practices and contemporary challenges. Based on qualitative approach and cross-sectional design, the research employed the primary data collection methods of informal conversation, in-depth interview, and FGD. Informants for the study were chosen based on purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study findings revealed that shimigilina (eldership), a traditional conflict resolution mechanism of the Awi people, is used to resolve conflicts that range from simple personal matters to vendetta. The basic tenet of shimigilina is rested on the principle of reconciliation and restoring accord. The findings illustrate that the elders play a significant role in reconciliation. The disputants have considerable participation from selecting elders to the finalization of the reconciliation. The traditional system not only restores peaceful social relationships but also attempts to rationally punish as well as compensate the victim party by imposing transactional and social punishments upon the malefactor. Generally, besides the challenges emanating from within its internal function and from external influence, the traditional conflict resolution mechanism is found to be significantly important in maintaining sustainable peace and social cohesion, and in providing truthful justice and assisting the burden of formal courts.

The Association Between Medical Liability Insurance Coverage and Medical Disturbances in Tertiary Psychiatric Hospitals in China: A National Survey.

BackgroundMedical disturbances (MD), a severe type of medical disputes, are common in Chinese hospitals. Medical liability insurances were introduced to establish a new system of conflict resolution and risk management. However, data are scarce on the effects of medical liability insurance coverage and MD in psychiatric hospitals. This study was set to address it based on a nationwide survey.MethodsA national cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2019. Physicians in 41 tertiary psychiatric hospitals participated in a smartphone based anonymous questionnaire. Experience of MD, sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, and job satisfaction information were reported by physicians. The hospital medical liability insurance status was reported by participating hospitals. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between medical liability insurance coverage and MD.ResultsIn total, 4511 physicians completed the survey, 3760/4511 (83.35%) physicians in 32 hospitals had medical liability insurance coverage, and 1401/4511 (31.06%) physicians had encountered medical disturbances in the previous year. After adjusting for confounding factors, medical liability insurance coverage was not significantly associated with MD (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 0.93–1.76). Female gender, working in West China, and higher job satisfaction were protective factors for MD. Higher outpatient volume/week (>50 patients/week) and longer working hours/week were risk factors for MD.ConclusionNearly one-third of physicians in Chinese top-tier psychiatric hospitals reported experience of MD. There was no significant association between medical liability insurance coverage and MD experienced among physicians in Chinese psychiatric hospitals. Policymakers and hospital administrators need to tailor the scope of medical liability insurance and to focus on other factors to reduce MD, including reducing workload and improving the doctor–patient relationship.

Modeling and Implementation of a New Negotiation Decision Support System for Conflict Resolution Under Uncertainty

Modeling and Implementation of a New Negotiation Decision Support System for Conflict Resolution Under Uncertainty

Navigating self-managed conflict resolution: A case study

This study examines how an organization-wide self-managed interpersonal conflict resolution system is experienced from the point of view of permanent and seasonal employees. Twenty semi-structured interviews and observations at a single agricultural organization were used to assess the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system. Employee reports were coded by determining if the conflict was owing to processes, relationships, or tasks problems, as well as determining if each conflict was resolved with accommodating, aggressive, avoidant, or collaborative resolution tactics. Interestingly, it was the permanent employees who initiated a majority of conflict resolution processes. Furthermore, only permanent employees opted to utilize aggressive tactics, usually by demanding that their colleagues quit the job at the organization. The findings indicate the importance of ADR training in order to develop confidence among seasonal employees to initiate resolution processes as well as the importance of teaching resolution tactics as a means of reducing employee termination.

ETHIOPIA: ABEGAR INDIGENOUS CONFLICT RESOLUTION SYSTEM – COMMUNITY BASED RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation is inevitable for restoring harmony among a society and making peaceful interaction between those who are at variance. The main objective of this study is to investigate the Abegar indigenous conflict resolution system based on community reconciliation in Haberu Woreda, North Wollo. This study employs a qualitative research design and descriptive nature. The study collected primary data from different informants by employing such qualitative data collection techniques as the interview, focus group discussions and observation. The finding of the study revealed that Abegars indigenous conflict resolution system aims at the restoration of order and harmony of the community. The types of conflicts presented and resolved in the community are inter-personal, homicide, inter-group in nature which stemmed from abduction of girls and women, violation of social values, theft, conflict over claims of a girl, competition over ownership of land, and drunkenness. The findings further show that family reconciliation, blood reconciliation (demmaderk) and compensation performance are the major community reconciliation procedures (methods) of conflict management used by the studied community depending on the nature and types of conflicts. Moreover, the ritual ceremony has symbolic and practical significance to established trust between conflicting parties that their relationship is restored. Keywords: Conflict Resolution, Indigenous, Reconciliation, Community

EXPLORING THE HIDDEN CUSTOM OF PUKHTUNWALI WITH REFERENCE TO CONFLICT RESOLUTION AMONG PUKHTUN SOCIETY

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the current study is designed to explore the hidden custom among Pukhtuns’ society (Nanawati) as a traditional mechanism for conflict resolution.
 Methodology: A cross-sectional-based research design was conducted with the sole aim to explore the role of Nanawage in the conflict resolution process among Pukhtun inhabitants in District Dir Lower Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The potential sampled respondents of the study were household heads particularly elders/ Jirgmar (mediators)/ religious leaders/ and those who practiced and observed Nanawate as the traditional mechanism of conflict resolution from 217 respondents out of 420 Household Head as per Sekaran (2003) criteria through proportional allocation method. Descriptive (univaraite) and inferential statistics (bivaraite analysis) was used to ascertain the level of association among practiced of Nanwati (independent variable) and conflict resolution (dependent variable) through the application of chi-square test statistics.
 Main Findings: Based on the results Nanawate is widely practiced by Pakhtun inhabitants locally by the virtue of gray beard (Speengeries), religious clergies (Mullas), and family head. Moreover, religion also plays a vital role as a mediator among two party’s conflicts through the perpetuation of Nanawate as it to be believed satisfactory, while not the rejection of Nanawate by someone may consider as damnation on that party who negated the contribution of the religious institution.
 Applications of this study: Exposing the role of Nanawate in terms of conflict resolution particularly is the order of the day through awareness and social media at the macro (government/ non-government sectors) and micro-level (familial and community level), with the collaboration of by giving a legal status in judiciary system will dethrone the conflicting situation among local inhabitants through the hidden custom of Nanawate were put forward some of the recommendations in light of the present study.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This study is designed to explore the hidden custom deliverance of Nanawate (a traditional mechanism) in conflict resolution with reference to Pakhtun’s society through perceptional based study, along with quantitative research designs to measure the association between the practicing of Nanawate in conflict resolution system among Pakhtun’s tribe.

Institutional effects on ecological outcomes of community-based management of fisheries in the Amazon.

Communities throughout the globe are increasingly being given the responsibility of resource management, making it necessary to understand the factors that lead to success in community-based management (CBM). Here, we assessed whether and how institutional design principles affect the ecological outcomes of CBM schemes for Arapaima sp., an important common-pool fishery resource of the Amazon Basin. We quantified the degree of presence of Ostrom's (Science 325:419-422, 1990) institutional design principles in 83 communities using a systematic survey, and quantitatively linked the design principles to a measure of ecological outcome (arapaima density) in a subset of 39 communities to assess their influence. To understand regional patterns of institutional capacity for CBM, we evaluated the degree of presence of each principle in all 83 communities. The principle scores were positively related to arapaima density in the 39 CBM schemes, explaining about half of the variation. Design principles related to defined boundaries and graduated sanctions exerted the strongest influence on the capacity of CBM to increase arapaima density. The degree to which most principles were present in all 83 communities was generally low, however, with the two most influential principles (defined boundaries and graduated sanctions) being the least present of all. Although the roles of the other principles (management rules, conflict resolution, collective action, and monitoring systems) are probably important, our results indicate that efforts aimed atstrengthening the presence of defined boundaries and graduated sanctions in communities hold promise to improve the effectiveness of arapaima CBM regionally.

Indigenous knowledge of conflict resolution for transformative peace building: Amare of Jama Woreda, Amhara - Ethiopia

The paper focuses on the role of indigenous knowledge system in the quest for conflict resolution and sustainable peace building. The data were collected from key informants, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and document analysis. To this end, purposive sampling is used to select the participants. The finding has revealed the existence of many local and community based customary practices and indigenous conflict resolution institutions. Among them is the Amare Council of Elders a well-known and formally recognized mediation and reconciliation mechanism to deal with range of conflicts from simple disputes to horrifying murder acts. There are customary practices and ritual cleansing ceremonies used by Amare in blood feud reconciliation and non-homicide. The prominent ways and modes that have been practiced by Amare conciliators in mediation and blood feud reconciliation include Bele (a kind of swearing to do or not to do something), Arami (a payment from murderer’s family to temporarily calm the issue until Guma will pay) and Guma (blood price during reconciliation). Nevertheless, from transformative peace building perspective, as per the finding currently Amare Shimglina is imperceptible due to the challenges emerged from the community, formal justice actors and conciliators themselves. As a result of these, the paper suggests the need to empowerment and up-keeping of indigenous knowledge systems of conflict resolution for developing comprehensive restorative justice mechanism in the study area. Key words: Amare, indigenous, conflict resolution, peace building, Jama Woreda.

Runggu or local wisdom-based conflict resolution: The role of the Pengituai Kuta

Conflict resolution is needed by society, especially in Indonesia, which has a diverse culture; it is inherent in the culture. Conflict resolution based on local wisdom is needed to create peace in society because it always strives to produce decisions that are win-win solutions. This research examines the importance and role of local wisdom as a form of conflict resolution in society and examines the role of the Pengituai Kuta in Pakpak culture as a conflict resolution method. This research is qualitative research with a case study approach conducted in Matanari Hamlet, Ujung Teran Village, Dairi Regency, North Sumatra. The data collection techniques used were semi-structured interviews, observation, and literature study. The subject of information in this study consisted of three people, namely one member of Pengituai Kuta Matanari (JM) and the Head of Matanari Hamlet (PP), and Cultural Practitioner or Humanist Pakpak (LB). According to Miles and Huberman’s model, the data is processed, which includes the collection, reduction, presentation, and conclusion. This finding shows that the Pengituai Kuta has an essential and influential role in resolving horizontal conflicts in Matanari Hamlet. The local wisdom of the Indonesian people already has conflict resolution systems and methods. In Pakpak culture, Pengituai Kuta refers to representatives of community leaders who are considered experienced and exemplary. Every conflict is resolved by deliberation-consensus (runggu) in an open, egalitarian, and full of brotherhood.

Prisege zvestobe istrskih mest v 12. stoletju

Still today, historiography questions whether the purpose of oaths of fealty (fidelitas), dedicated to the Venetian Republic by Istrian towns from 12th Century, was to conclude friendships between the equal communities or was just a form of alliances against common enemies, or were even the subordination of Istrian towns? Insofar as it was actually a matter of concluding alliances even after the feuds, later vents clearly testify in support of the fact that those oaths of fealtywere the first step towards the later Venetian subordination of Istrian towns, the basis of the process which ended only in 1420. This paper argues that the above events should be understood and interpreted in accordance with then prevailing system of conflict resolution and within the framework of the ritual: homage, fealty, peace (homagium, fidelitas, pax).

Healing Wounds and Blood Feuds in Exploring Ethiopia the Role of Dem Adraqi Elders in Rural South Wollo Zone of Amhara Regional State

The study explained the roles of dem adraqi elders in avoiding and healing past wounds and blood feuds between conflicting parties in rural Amhara regional states of Ethiopia. Unless healing wounds and blood feud conflict is managed properly, it results in social and economic destruction at both family and community level. The main objective of this study was the role of dem adraqi elders in avoiding blood feud in rural Ethiopia. The most common types of conflict resolved by dem adraqi elders are killing, property looting, theft and land based conflicts. Qualitative research approach was followed with focus group discussion and key informant interview as a tool of data collection. The data was collected from 11key informant respondents and 3 focus group discussion (FGD) through purposive sampling techniques. The finding of the study showed that cost of conflict depends on the type of conflict resolution system that individuals used to settle disagreements. In addition, the practical procedure of dem adraqi elder in healing wounds and blood feuds are painstaking since it is important to avoid conflicts between parties for last without any retaliation after reaching agreements through erigiman (cursing the retaliator). In general, the work of dem adraqi elders depends on the interest and will of disputant parties. To minimize the problem of wounds and blood feud conflicts and encourage dem adraqi elders at the local level, government should make some economic support to satisfy their morality.

Trajectory Planning and Tracking Strategy Applied to an Unmanned Ground Vehicle in the Presence of Obstacles

In a dynamic environment, moving to the destination safely and effectively is of paramount importance for an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). This article presents a strategy of trajectory planning and tracking that aims to ensure the UGV’s safety in an uncertain environment. Specifically, based on the initial environment information, a global optimal trajectory connecting the start and the destination is predefined by an artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA). In the presence of unforeseen obstacles, a trial-based forward search (TFS) algorithm based on the Markov chain is proposed in the local trajectory planning module, while collision prediction is integrated as heuristic information. The vehicle’s current state is updated accordingly for the sake of avoiding entire state spaces involved in the computation. Therefore, the storage efficiency and convergence rate in local path planning are sufficiently enhanced in comparison to dynamic programming. Moreover, command signals can be calculated with the proposed multiconstrained model predictive controller (MMPC), ensuring the vehicle to track the reference trajectory and smoothen the motion. Finally, the results in both simulations and experiments reveal the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in the presence of both static and dynamic obstacles. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Note to Practitioners</i> —This article is motivated by the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) collision avoidance problem in practical missions, such as farming and emergency response. In recent years, various trajectory planning and tracking algorithms have been widely developed. However, the environmental complexity and the intruders’ unexpected movement pose difficulties in trajectory planning, especially in ensuring the computation time under the allowable threshold. Moreover, the UGV practical trajectory tracking is a challenging task which demands a desired response within various physical constraints. In this article, a two-stage conflict resolution system is proposed. First, a trial-based forward search (TFS) is used to generate a new trajectory deviating the UGV from the initially generated trajectory by the artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA), aiming to avoid the unforeseen intruders (unknown in prior) in real-time. Using these two trajectory planning algorithms alternatively, both global trajectory optimality in a cluttered environment and appropriate maneuvers with respect to unexpected intruders can be achieved. Subsequently, the UGV is modeled according to its kinematic characteristics, and thus a multiconstrained model predictive controller (MMPC) is designed to follow the reference trajectory. The physical constraints are respected by integrating them into the controller. Simulations and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can guide and control a UGV from the start to the destination safely and smoothly, even in the case of multiple obstacles with constant or varying velocities. Furthermore, the proposed collision avoidance strategy can be extended to other unmanned systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles.

Uncovering the Processes and Ritual Practices in Shimgelina Indigenous Conflict Resolution System

Uncovering the Processes and Ritual Practices in Shimgelina Indigenous Conflict Resolution System

LAND CONFLICTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA: AN EVIDENCE FROM DORIMON IN GHANA

This study examined the implication of land conflicts on food security in the Dorimon Traditional Area of the Wa West District of Northern Ghana. The study used a phenomenological research design approach, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection and analysis. Primary data were sought from interviews with household heads, key informants and focus group discussions. Various methods were combined to sample a total of 221 respondents from eight communities and four institutions for the study. The study revealed the existence of numerous land conflicts in the area, prominent among them are the land boundary conflict between the Guse and Dontanga Clans, land ownership conflict between Guo-Nayiri and Guo-Katung Clans and that of land ownership conflict between Charile and Nyimbale communities. Other forms of land conflicts were user conflicts between neighbouring land users and some form of limited access due to discrimination against women and settlers. The main drivers of these land conflicts were greed and selfish interest by individuals, the lack of clear land boundaries between clans, rising population pressure and the weakening of traditional institutions. Meanwhile, the study revealed that 62 per cent of household in the Dorimon Traditional Area were food insecure. It was established that land conflicts affect food security negatively as it leads to low food production, loss of income, destruction of food systems, disruption of herbal health delivery and also depletion of food stalk as a result of sale of food staff in pursuit of conflicts. Customary system of conflict resolution is the most popular system of conflict resolution in the area. In order to improve on the efforts at managing land conflicts and also mitigating their effects on food security, it is recommended that; alternative source of livelihoods should be provided to the people, traditional institutions should be strengthened, land boundaries between clans or communities should clearly be defined, demarcated and documented and, also, there should be strong stakeholder collaboration in land administration.

Ethnography of Panchayat: Cases of Khula from Mandi Baha-Ud-Din

Panchayat is the epicenter of local Politiology that serves as a traditional and indigenous system of conflict resolution at the village level in Pakistan. Khula (divorce) is one of the social issues that are mostly handled by the panchayat besides the presence of a legal system: both institutions stay anonymous to each other. The study is conducted in Mandi Baha Uddin to understand the significance of Panchayat as a local level trusted institution meant for arbitration using qualitative approach. The methodology of the study was descriptive where case study and in-depth interview methods were used. The study findings endorse that Panchayat is an indigenous powerful political institution that can adjoin with the development sector in providing justice about agriculture, forestry, and welfare projects. It can serve more efficiently with the support from the legal justice system. Execution of decisions by the traditional justice system can only be effective once streamlined for better and owned decisions at the community level politics.

Drawing Borders and Protecting Minorities in a Post-Imperial World: Legal Conflicts and the League of Nations’ Minority Protection Regime

This article explores the twin issues of autonomy and minorities in a world of residual empire, nationalism, and emerging nation-States that shaped the period after the First World War. From a primarily historical perspective, it delineates the general context of the newly established international political and legal order under the auspices of the League of Nations, and outlines the system’s premises and potential, its pitfalls and shortcomings, especially with regard to the late- and post-imperial make-up of continental Europe. Three case studies of politico-legal conflicts and challenges typical for the period form the article’s empirical backbone: the case of the Bohemian and Moravian Germans in the context of the Versailles peace process, the Finnish-Swedish dispute over the Åland Islands, and the abortive application for recognition and membership in the League of Nations by the Iroquois in 1923 and 1924. Taken together, these examples of international political and legal dispute illustrate both the promise and potential, and the inconsistencies and paradoxes, of an emerging internationalist system of conflict resolution and minority protection. In line with recent historiography, the article stresses the necessity of revisiting the League and its institutions beyond the previously dominant paradigm of failure. Through the prism of its minority protection system, the League’s influence on the political and institutional establishment of procedures and practices becomes particularly tangible. Most of what the League institutions created as a toolbox of internationalist governance has thereby remained with us until today, whilst the minorities for whom it was devised are, sadly, mostly gone: legal and administrative procedure, international supervision and mediation, enforceable minority rights and protections in terms of autonomy regulations, plebiscites, federative solutions or partitions as vehicles, and resources of legitimacy.

Compatibility of endogenous conflict resolution practices with African democracies

Endogenous Conflict resolution system as a practice within African societies is fast losing relevance and popularity despite the important roles that it has served since time immemorial. This approach to conflict resolution was largely nurtured by cultural and religious systems so much so that whatever conflict it addressed, the outcome would be culturally sustainable to parties involved. With the advent of modernity and contemporary governance systems, the olden practice is gradually being pushed to the periphery and losing relevance. The discussion is guided by the conceptual framework of perenialism, essentialism and experientalism, which all focus on sustainability of the practice according to a particular paradigm. The study was partly extracted from a longitudinal research on endogenous conflict resolution practices and complimented by a review of archival material. The study notes that while endogenous conflict resolution practices were handy, cultural and sustainable, the coming of new and modern approaches has rendered them irrelevant. Some of the endogenous principles are in modern democracies undermined as archaic, despotic and repressive. However, it has been realised that there continues to be systematic mergers of the old and new resolution approaches taking on board present day relevant and acceptable practices. Keywords: Endogenous, conflict resolution, democracy, governance, conflict

Systems for Conflict Resolution in Comparative Perspective

A cornerstone of industrial relations theory is the idea that the potential for conflict is inherent in the employment relationship. Across countries, forms of workplace conflict and methods of conflict resolution take a range of different forms. Yet aside from attempts to understand cross-national variation in strikes, little research has examined systemic differences in the manifestation and management of workplace conflict. The authors seek to fill this void by analyzing through a comparative lens practices for addressing employment-related conflict in four countries: Germany, the United States, Italy, and Australia. In contrast to the unidimensional varieties of capitalism approach, they analyze workplace conflict resolution systems across two dimensions: collective-individual and regulated-voluntarist. The analysis also emphasizes the importance of within-country variation and interactions between different conflict resolution subsystems.

A Study on Civilian-Military Conflict on THAAD Placement

이 연구의 목적은 사드배치를 둘러싼 갈등요인 분석을 통해 민군 갈등관리 해결방안을 제시하는 것이다. 이를 위해 시스템 이론에 기초하여 각종 언론매체에서 사드문제를 사설이나 논평으로 제기된 내용을 종합하여 유형화 분류하고 이를 분석하였다. 연구결과 현재 민군갈등 해결 시스템의 한계로 민군 상호간의 사전 소통의 부재를 탐색하였다. 또한 국책사업을 추진하는 과정에서 직접적인 이해관계자인 지역주민들과의 충분한 소통이 이루어지지 않은 상태에서 추진됨으로써 갈등과 사회적 비용을 가져왔다. 따라서 국가안보와 직결된 사업추진의 갈등예방을 위해서는 사전에 충분한 준비와 예방활동이 중요하다는 점과 선제적 민군갈등해결 시스템을 필요성을 보여주었다. 이에 대해 소통과 시스템화된 해결방안을 토대로 갈등의 순기능은 활용하되 장기화되는 것은 지양해야 할것이다The purpose of this study is to propose solutions for civilian-conflict management through the analysis of conflict factors surrounding the THAAD placement in Korea. Based on system theory, we classified conflicting factors of THAAD found in various editorials and commentaries by type and analyzed accordingly. We pointed out the lack of communication between civilian and military as a major barrier of the existing resolution system for civilian-military conflict. The implication is that the preliminary preparation and prevention activities are critical for conflict resolution in national projects and the preemptive conflict resolution system can handle civilian-military conflicts that continue to arise due to the conflicts between national security and private interests. On the basis of communication and systematic solutions, it is necessary to utilize positive aspects of conflict but avoid prolonged conflicts.