Impact of mediators' cultural characteri̇sti̇cs on conflict resolution methods: A study on mediators practising in turkey

Especially nowadays, globalization is effecting and directing different masses to live together causes people from different cultural backgrounds to encounter and from time totime enter into cultural conflict. In addition to interpersonal conflicts at society, there are diplomatic, political and economic conflicts that occur during the relations between countries and companies operating in these kinds of countries. Mediation in the resolution of these disputes is often preferred because it is more flexible than judicial remedies. The reason of that is each country has its own judicial system and rules, such as culture. However the mediation system does not have strict rules, with the exception of ethics and principles which are accepted all over the world. Nowadays, where the concept of time is very important, it is not preferred to lose time with obstacles arising from judicial differences during international business and relations. Mediation has become a frequently used method for these reasons in disputes regarding the international business and relations. Mediation is a concept whose subject is human even though its foundations are based on a legal systematic. The aim of this research is to examine the mediation method from a subjective point of view rather than an objective perspective and to direct the research to the subject who is the subject of the concept. From this point of view, in this study, mediation is primarily examined as a communication process and the effect of mediator's cultural structure on the conflict resolution skills of mediators aiming at resolving conflicts that arise during the interpersonal communication process is emphasized. I consider that the mediation processes applied for the resolution of conflicts and legal disputes between both interpersonal and international business and relations are an efficient research area in order to examine cultural differences and their effects.