Integrative Agreements

Integrative agreements (also known as integrative bargaining and interest-based bargaining) are methods of conflict resolution which attempt to find a 'win-win' scenario for the disputing parties. An integrative agreement ideally finds beneficial options for both parties that are improved from their original proposals. Typically the mediator asks the parties what they want from the deal. By knowing what they want the mediator may find a solution in which both parties benefit and don't lose anything. An example would be two siblings who are fighting over a house they inherited from a long lost relative. Using an integrative approach, the mediator asks each sibling WHY they want the house: sibling A wants a vacation home while sibling B just wants money. The mediator then suggests sibling A buy the house from sibling B- both sides get what they want from the deal and no one loses anything.