Facilitators, Mediators and Arbitrators

Dispute resolution is a common practice in today’s business world. There could be several professionals involved in the process of a dispute resolution. What are the differences and the similarities between a facilitator, a mediator and an arbitrator?

According to msn Encarta online dictionary:

A facilitator is: somebody who enables a process to happen, especially somebody who encourages people to find their own solutions to problems or tasks.

A mediator: somebody who works with both sides in a dispute in an attempt to help them to reach an agreement.

Arbitrator: somebody designated to hear both sides of a dispute and make a judgment.

The above definitions are general and when it used in a business setting they have more specific meaning as each have very specific role in the dispute resolution process.
Please read the article about this interesting subject at the Six Sigma website at: http://www.isixsigma.com/library/content/c080218a.asp