What are some Integrative Negotiation Tactics?

Integrative negotiation tactics seek to provide greater value to the parties collectively than could be achieved individually. Some commonly-understood integrative tactics are discussed below.

Expand and Modify the Resource Pie

Add resources in such a way that both sides can achieve their objectives. 

Use Nonspecific Compensation 

This allows one person to obtain his objectives and pay off the other person for accommodating his interests. 

Cut the Costs for Compliance

One party achieves her objectives and the others costs are minimized if he agrees to go along. 

Find a Bridge Solution

When the parties are able to invent new options that meet all their respective needs they have created a bridge solution. Successful bridging requires a fundamental reformulation of the problem so that the parties are not discussing their positions but disclosing information that will satisfy needs. 

Super-ordination

This is when "the differences in interest that gave rise to the conflict are superseded or replaced by other interests." 

Compromise 

Compromises are not considered to be a good integrative strategy except for circumstances where parties are very entrenched and it is unlikely that a more comprehensive agreement is possible. 

Brainstorm

Brainstorming includes generating as many solutions (including non-obvious solutions) to the problem as possible. The following rules should be observed when engaging in brainstorming. 

Take Surveys

This means asking a large number of people to list all possible solutions they can imagine. 

Perspective-taking

Ask questions about interests and priorities and provide information about your interests and priorities. Avoid the illusion of transparency in which negotiators believe they are revealing more than they actually are. 

Unbundling and Bundling

Begin by unbundling (or identifying separately) the issues. Once all issues are understood, make package deals (rather than single-issue offers). 

Logrolling Successful 

Logrolling requires the parties to establish (or find) more than one issue in conflict; the parties then agree to trade off among these issues so that one party achieves a highly preferred outcome on the first issue and the other person achieves a highly preferred outcome on the second issue. 

Multiple Simultaneous Offers

Make multiple offers of equivalent value simultaneously. An approach to this tactic might include: devise multiple-issue offers; devise offers that are all of equal value to yourself; and make the offers all at the same time. The advantages for the negotiator are that she can be aggressive in anchoring; can gain better information about the other party (inductive reasoning); can be persistent and persuasive regarding the value of an offer; and can overcome concession aversion. 

Contingency Contracts

Contingency contracts are those that change based upon some designated occurrence or non-occurrence. Structure contingency contracts by capitalizing on differences in valuation, expectations, risk attitudes, time preferences, and capabilities. This is an extremely useful tactic to bring parties together when there is a standstill. 

Note that, effective contingency contracts: should not create a conflict of interest; should be enforceable and may require a written component; should be clear, measurable, and readily evaluated; and should require continued interaction among parties. 

Errors in Pursuing Integrative Tactics

Common errors by negotiators that often do not lead to a win-win or integrative outcome include: 

Overcommitment

Parties may commit to reaching a win-win deal while having an incorrect idea about what win-win is. This overcommitment can ignore the realities of the negotiation and cause a loss of value or failed negotiation. 

Compromise 

Collaborating is a fundamental aspect of integrative negotiations. Often, however, negotiators confuse collaboration with compromising between the two parties positions. 

While this may be necessary, it can also occur at the expensive of value creation and result in a more distributive process. It is important to remember that compromise means slicing the pie, rather than expanding the pie through integrative tactics. 

Relationship Focus

Understanding the nature of the relationship at stake is imperative in distributive and integrative negotiations. Focusing on a long-term relationship, however, may result in accommodation by one party. 

It is important to remember that a long-term relationship can be a win-win throughout multiple negotiations, but that is not absolutely certain. Before taking an accommodative stance to build a long-term relationship, determine whether such a relationship will yield value in the future.

Related Topics

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• What are some strategic objectives associated with negative outcomes?
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• What is Self Assessment when strategically planning a negotiation?
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• Power Tactics and Strategy in a Negotiation?
• Tactics aimed at persuading a counterparty?
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• Dealing with Distributive Negotiation Tactics?
• Integrative negotiation tactics?