Skip to main content
Log in

The effect of computer intervention and task structure on bargaining outcome

  • Published:
Theory and Decision Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reports on a study that examined the impact of computer presentation of suggested solutions during negotiation, in bargaining situations that can be characterized as integrative or distributive. It was found that in the integrative task, the bargainers achieved higher joint outcomes when presented with suggestions. They had a more negative perception of the negotiation atmosphere, however. In the distributive task, the suggestions did not help achieve joint gains, but it lessened negative attitudes of the bargainers. Bargainers who received suggestions felt both they and their partner had been somewhat more flexible, cooperative, considerate, and less suspicious. Thus, regardless of negotiation situation, the suggestions resulted in some benefit to the negotiators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anson, R. and Jelassi, T.: 1990, ‘A Development framework for computer-supported conflict resolution’, European Journal of Operational Research, Special Issue on Group Decision and Negotiation Support Systems (forthcoming).

  • Balke, W. M., Hammond, K. R., and Meyer, G. D.: 1973, ‘An alternative approach to labor-management negotiations’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 18, 311–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barclay, S. and Peterson, C.: 1976, ‘Multi-attribute utility models for negotiations’, Technical report 76–1. McLean, VA: Decisions and Designs, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartunek, J. M., Benton, A. A., and Keyes, C. B.: 1975, ‘Third party intervention and the bargaining behavior of group representatives’, Journal of Conflict Resolution 19, 532–557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazerman, M. H., Magliozzi, T., and Neale, M.: 1985, ‘The acquisition of an integrative response in a competitive market’, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance 34, 294–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazerman, M. H. and Neale, M.: 1982, ‘Improving negotiator effectiveness under final offer arbitration: The role of selection and training’, Journal of Applied Psychology 67, 543–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazerman, M. H. and Neale, M.: 1983, ‘Heuristics in negotiation: Limitations to effective dispute resolution’, in M. Bazerman and R. Lewicki (eds.), Negotiating in Organizations, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brehmer, B.: 1986, ‘The role of judgment in small-group conflict and decision making’, in Hal R. Arkes and Kenneth R. Hammond (eds.), Judgment and Decision Making: An Interdisciplinary Reader, Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brehmer, B. and Hammond, K. R.: 1977, ‘Cognitive factors in interpersonal conflict’, in D. Druckman (ed.), Negotiations: Social-Psychological Perspectives, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. R.: 1970, ‘Face-saving following experimentally induced embarrassment’, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 6, 255–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J.: 1977, Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foroughi, A. and Jelassi, T.: 1990, ‘NSS solutions to major negotiation stumbling blocks’, Proceedings of the 23rd Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, January 2–5 (forthcoming).

  • Hammond, K. R., Rohrbaugh, J., Mumpower, J. L., and Adelman, L.: 1977, ‘Social judgment theory: Applications in policy formation’, in M. F. Kaplan and S. Schwartz (eds.), Human Judgment and Decision Processes in Applied Settings, New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, K. R., Stewart, T. R., Brehmer, B., and Steinmann, D. O.: 1975, ‘Social judgment theory’, in M. F. Kaplan and S. Schwartz (eds.), Human Judgment and Decision Processes, New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiltrop, J. M. and Rubin, J. Z.: 1981, ‘Position loss and image loss in bargaining’, Journal of Conflict Resolution 25, 521–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jelassi, T. and Foroughi, A.: 1989, ‘Negotiation support system: An overview of design issues and existing software’, Decision Support Systems: The International Journal, Special Issue on Group Decision Support Systems, 5, 167–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mumpower, J., Schuman, S., and Zumbolo, A.: 1986, ‘Analytical mediation: an application in collective bargaining’, Unpublished paper. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, State University of New York at Albany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, J. F.: 1950, ‘The bargaining problem’, Econometrica 19, 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neale, M. A.: 1984, ‘The effect of negotiation and arbitration cost salience on bargainer behavior: The role of arbitrator and constituency in negotiator judgment’, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance 34, 97–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neale, M. A. and Bazerman, M. H.: 1985a, ‘Perspectives for understanding negotiation: Viewing negotiation as a judgmental process’, Journal of Conflict Resolution 29, 33–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neale, M. A. and Bazerman, M. H.: 1985b, ‘The effects of framing and negotiator overconfidence on bargaining behaviors and outcomes’, Academy of Management Journal 28, 34–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Podell, J. E. and Knapp, W. M.: 1965, ‘The effect of mediation on the perceived firmness of the opponent’, Journal of Conflict Resolution 13, 511–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pruitt, D. G. and Johnson, D. F.: 1970, ‘Mediation as an aid to face saving in negotiation’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 14(3), 239–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raiffa, H.: 1982, The Art and Science of Negotiation, Cambridge MA: Belknap/Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S. and Castellan, N. J., Jr.: 1988, Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, Second Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulvila, J. W.: 1979, ‘Decision with multiple objectives in integrative bargaining’, Ph.D. Dissertation, Harvard University. Graduate school of business administration

  • von Winterfeldt, D. and Edwards, W.: 1986, Decision Analysis and Behavioral Research, Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jones, B.H., Jelassi, M.T. The effect of computer intervention and task structure on bargaining outcome. Theor Decis 28, 355–374 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00162705

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00162705

Keywords

Navigation