The Evolution of the Behavioral Theory in the Workplace: Introduction

When Richard Walton and Robert McKersie developed the behavioral theory of negotiations, they realized immediately that the theory had applications beyond labor-management relations. In their landmark book, they added a chapter applying their theory to both international relations and civil rights. This special issue of Negotiation Journal supports their initial realization that the behavioral theory had wide application beyond the collective bargaining process. Consistent with Walton and McKersie's original conception of their theory, the authors in this section explore a variety of such applications to dimensions of the workplace not considered in A Behavioral Theory of Labor Negotiations. The article especially focuses on how intraorganizational bargaining casts light on the internal conflicts among managers and stakeholders in their efforts to manage conflict effectively. Innovations in collective bargaining seek to address the enduring tension between integrative and distributive bargaining -- tensions that Walton and McKersie addressed in their groundbreaking book.