Summer Negotiation Simulation

As mentioned above, during the last negotiation simulation there were three groups or teams. Each team represented a South American country. For this exercise the country of Brazil, wanting more action and less declaration of political will, convened a working group consisting of three countries: Venezuela, Peru and Colombia. The sole purpose of generating these countries together was to generate a solution to water quality concerns. Cooperation was a key element within this negotiation, as working together to build a single water treatment plant would yield the largest cost savings. However, there was an additional incentive. The groups that could successfully partner would be awarded extra credit on their grade. Furthermore, a team
Outside the negotiation simulation all participants have an association with one another that lies in the middle of the relationship spectrum between stranger and friend (Shell, 2006, p. 67), known as a working relationship. Between some participants, this relationship leans more to friendship. Research has shown that there is an inverse relationship between relationship and bargaining intensity. The closer the relationship the more a bargainer will soften their style to minimize conflict and engage in equality norms (Shell, 2006, pp. 66-67). Nevertheless, very high stakes can spur the competitive spirit in close friends or associates (Shell, 2006, p.
Participants within a coalition expect payoff amounts to be proportional to what resources are contributed (Gamson, 1961). The formation of a coalition within this simulation was straightforward, and unexpectedly, so was the allocation of coast savings (an even three-way split). Everyone appeared satisfied with the agreement, except myself. I saw an opportunity to enhance the agreement and ensure a productive bargaining relationship. Due to these three countries’ agreement to forged a working association, it is important to address unnoticed exploitation. Failure to correct unfair treatment can foster resentment leading to the collapse of the relationship and coalition (Shell, 2006, p.