Conceptions of the arbitrator's role

Abstract

A cluster analysis of questionnaire data obtained from 101 labor arbitrators, management representatives, and union officials suggested 5 dimensions of the arbitrator's role: adherence to precedent, prophylactic orientation, liberality of interpretation, elicitation of facts, and procedural formality. Objective role conflict was evidenced by significant differences between company and union role conceptions on 4 of the 5 dimensions. Arbitrators themselves were prone to take a conservative view of their function, and adopted positions between the 2 parties on 3 of the 5 role dimensions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)