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The desire to keep conflicts from escalating has created a demand for conflict resolution and mediation workshops, training, seminars, computer-based, and web-based (or web-enhanced) training. The software products range from CD-ROM packages to install on a PC or a network, to web-based training consisting of various models. For the military, the issues often tie directly to diversity and gender issues. Not only does workplace conflict lead to a loss of productivity, it can have a very detrimental impact on the mission of a company or a unit. In some cases, undetected or unaddressed issues can escalate, leading to workplace violence, even in situations where one would expect that team cohesion would be high. The root causes of conflict can arise out of individual psychological issues, cultural clashes, religious or ethnic differences, or gender stereotyping. Continue reading ‘Online Conflict Resolution Training: Current Products and Approaches for Corporations, Universities, the Military’

Here is a project for a Creative Problem-Solving Class. Imagine being issued a handheld computer, an mp3 player, a CD-ROM, and then being told that you will have to develop a plan to deal with the problem of piracy and attacks on ships in the Straits of Malacca. You will work with a team of 10 classmates who will be constantly traveling, and who will have only intermittent access to the Internet. You will be expected to develop components of a plan that you can implement together when you meet again, either face to face, or through synchronous Internet communication. Continue reading ‘Piracy in the Straits of Malacca: An Interactive Exercise for a Creative Problem-Solving Class for the Military’