Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution (HCM543)

Conflict is part of everyday organizational life, be it in workplaces, teams, communities, and systems. HCM543 Negotiation, Mediation & Conflict Resolution will introduce students to the essential mindsets, frameworks, and tools needed to respond to conflict with empathy, clarity, and purpose. Drawing from negotiation theory, mediation practice, and insights from psychology, culture, and communication studies, the course builds practical skills in resolving disputes and navigating difficult conversations. The focus is on human-centered problem-solving, restorative thinking, and ethical leadership. It aims to prepare students to be effective and compassionate conflict resolvers in HR and organizational contexts. While legal settings are occasionally referenced for illustrative purposes, no legal background is required. Students will engage with case studies, roleplays, and structured discussions relevant to HR challenges such as workplace disputes, employee relations, and organizational change.

• What is negotiation & mediation?
• Mediator’s role and mindset in workplace settings?
• Benefits and limitations of mediation for organizational disputes
• Principles & elements of interest-based negotiation
• Under BATNA & ZOPA in workplace contexts
• Common negotiation traps
• Variations in mediation approaches
• Role of Empathy & curiosity in conflict resolution
• Structuring difficult conversations in HR settings
• Structured vs Interpersonal Conflict in Organisations
• Power & Influence
• Cultural Factors in Organisational Conflicts
• Building a culture of early conflict engagement

• Define key terms and principles in negotiation and mediation, such as interests, positions, BATNA, ZOPA, neutrality, reframing, and process design.
• Explain how negotiation and mediation processes are structured, and how they support more collaborative, less adversarial ways of resolving conflict.
• Demonstrate core negotiation and mediation techniques (including active listening, interest exploration, and consensus-building) through roleplays and reflective exercises.
• Analyse interpersonal and group conflicts by identifying key interests, cultural and emotional dynamics, and process choices.
• Critically evaluate real or hypothetical conflict resolution processes in terms of fairness, effectiveness, ethics, and long-term outcomes.
• Design a conflict resolution strategy or mediation plan tailored to a real-life context, integrating relational understanding with structured tools.
• Articulate your personal growth and approach as a conflict resolver, drawing from lived experience, feedback, and value-based reflection.