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Intractable multiparty conflict is omnipresent in social life, but how do individuals in this type of dispute make sense of their situation and therefore enact it in a particular way? The current study investigated this question by examining how disputants from different stakeholder groups framed conflict situations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Texas that revolved around environmental issues. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of interview transcripts and archival data suggested that, based on their framing similarities, disputants could be grouped together in four clusters, each implying a different framing repertoire. In turn, the analyses indicated that the repertoire differences between these clusters fueled the intractability of each dispute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the context within which the Ohio State University conflict in sociology department arose, the process by which the dispute became defined as a moral or ethical one for those who disagreed with the actions of the chairman and the impact on those involved applicants, each of whom had strengths and weaknesses. In the spring of 1967, professor Hans Zetterberg was named Chairman of the sociology department. Later that year, Zetterberg announced through the department newsletter, called the Weekly Message. The main criterion for salary increases and promotions is creative development of knowledge, demonstrated in writing and orally in teaching and related scholarly activities. In addition to the elitist perspective and the clumsy manner in which the new salary structure was created, some other disturbing factors were involved. Zetterberg had few conversations with faculty he placed in invited or frozen categories about their work, their plans for research and publication, or their teaching before he sent their letters. Also, the lack of congruence between his decisions and the earlier statement, concerning salary decisions and promotion developed in the document, especially the statement regarding the importance of teaching, became a major issue.

This article examines the efficacy of Q methodology as a tool to resolve conflict at the county level. Using a case study of a conflict between a county visitors and convention bureau and citizens and policy-makers in Northeast Ohio, feedback of stakeholders are compared using Q methodology and Nominal Group Technique (NGT) voting. The results show that NGT results are heavily skewed in one direction, reflecting only the viewpoint of "high power" participants in the dispute while the Q sort data accurately reflect the viewpoints of the entire group of disputants. The article concludes by discussing the implication of these findings in managing conflict at the county level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article details Ohio's promotion of alternative forms of dispute resolution with a law that is helping clear clogged court dockets and encouraging citizens to resolve problems among themselves. The legislature created the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, the first government-sponsored commission in the U.S. to promote dispute resolution at all levels of society. The commission is the nation's first to be jointly established and sponsored by all three branches of state government. The commission will initiate, fund and evaluate dispute resolution programs in Ohio and provide them with technical assistance and expertise. In addition, it will train and provide resources for individuals and public or private organizations engaged in activities related to dispute resolution and conflict management. The commission seeks to give all Ohioans access to the necessary tools for solving problems among themselves, rather than resorting to litigation or violence. The commission has great latitude in supporting and initiating a variety of dispute resolution process, including medication, conciliation, mini-trial, summary jury trial and nonbinding arbitration. The need for a comprehensive model for dispute resolution has become more urgent as human activity becomes more interconnected.