What is the Bargaining Mix?

The bargaining mix is the makeup of interests at stake in a negotiation.

How to define the issues or negotiation goals?

Developing a negotiation strategy usually begins with an analysis of what is to be negotiated or the bargaining mix. 

Remember, a negotiation concerns situation in which the parties perceive a conflict in objectives or interests. 

As such, it is important to understand the nature of the interests at stake. 

What are the Types of Interest in a Negotiation?

The following are categorizations of interests: 

Substantive Interests 

These are interests that are the subject of the perceived conflict between the parties. If two people are arguing over who receives the largest share of a cash prize, the money at stake is the substantive interest. 

Process-based Interests 

These are interests related to how the negotiators behave as they negotiate. Individuals may be as concerned about how the negotiation plays as as they are about the interests at stake or the outcome. For example, a negotiator may be primarily concerned with the negotiation process being fair or allowing her to appropriately voice her concerns. 

Relationship-based Interests

These interests are tied to the current or desired future relationship between the parties. Individuals are often affected greatly by their social interactions with others. Maintaining a positive relationship or securing an on-going relationship may be more important than one's interests or the procedures followed in the negotiation. 

Types of Relationship-Based Interest

The types of relationship in a negotiation include:

• Intrinsic
• Instrumental
• Interests in Principle

What are Intrinsic Relationships?

This means that the parties to the relationship find value in maintaining the relationship as well as the relationship itself. That is, the parties are content with the existence of the relationship and there is joy in building and keeping up the relationship. 

What are Instrumental Relationships? 

This means that the parties receive some tangible or substantive value from the relationship. They maintain this friendship to ascertain that the benefits of the relationship continue. 

What are Interests in Principle? 

Principle-based interests are rooted in the deeply-held beliefs of the negotiators. We often assume that a conflict is based in the logical desire to claim value or pursue an objective. Sometimes, however, the internal beliefs can drive our objectives in a negotiation. Interests may also be influenced by the intangibles of the negotiation. This may include opinions, ideas, or cognitive processing (emotions). 

How to Identify Interests at Stake in a Negotiation?

With an awareness of the types and complexity of potential interests. Attempt to derive complete list of the issues at stake in the following manner:

• Brainstorm - Brainstorm ones actual or potential interests or objectives.
• Research - Research prior similar situations (whether personal or third party) for potential issues or interests. 
• Consult Others - Consult with experts in this situation, context, or industry regarding potential interests at stake. Inquire with the other party or with third parties about their interests or objectives (whether or not directly related to the present negotiation). 

As previously stated, interests are often the primary determinants of the strategy employed in a negotiation. Single-issue negotiations tend to dictate distributive negotiations because the only real negotiation issue is grabbing the value at stake. 

In contrast, multiple-issue negotiations lend themselves more to integrative negotiations because parties are able to package interests and make tradeoffs to improve the positions of both parties. 

Related Topics

• How do parties define the issues or negotiation goals, known as the bargaining mix?
• How does one prioritize the issues in a negotiation?
• How do you frame up (identify the key characteristics of) a negotiation?
• What is the significance of understanding the resistance point of both parties?
• How do parties open the negotiation Anchor Point?
• Why is it important to plan for concessions?