Tribhuvan University
Faculty of Management
Office of the Dean
Bachelor of Business Management (BBM)
Course Description
:This course provides students with a solid foundation in negotiation principles and practices, focusing on both Nepalese and global contexts. It covers the concept, types, importance, and levels of negotiation, along with key theories, styles, and strategies. Students will gain practical insights into the negotiation process and tools such as anchoring . Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BANTA) and Zone of Possible Agreement (ZOPA), and concession - making. The course also highlights the role of communication, power, and timing, explores conflict resolution methods like mediation and arbitration, and examines ethical issues. Emphasis is given to cross-cultural negotiation, gender dynamics, and global challenges, preparing students to negotiate effectively in diverse professional settings.
Course Objective
:This course aims to guide students in building a clear and practical understanding of negotiation, negotiation theories, strategies, and processes in both Nepalese and global contexts. It prepares them to apply negotiation skills in personal, organizational, and cross -cultural settings, enabling them to resolve conflicts constructively and build sustainable agreements. Course Description This course provides students with a solid foundation in negotiation principles and practices, focusing on both Nepalese and global contexts. It covers the concept, types, importance, and levels of negotiation, along with key theories, styles, and strategies. Students will gain practical insights into the negotiation process and tools such as anchoring . Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BANTA) and Zone of Possible Agreement (ZOPA), and concession - making. The course also highlights the role of communication, power, and timing, explores conflict resolution methods like mediation and arbitration, and examines ethical issues. Emphasis is given to cross-cultural negotiation, gender dynamics, and global challenges, preparing students to negotiate effectively in diverse professional settings.
Course Contents:
Lecture hours show the approximate classroom time allocated to each unit.
Unit 1. Introduction to Negotiation
- Concept, definition , and nature of negotiation
- Types of negotiation
- Importance of negotiation in business and management
- Levels of negotiation: individual, group, organizational, community, national , and international
- Core elements of negotiation:
- parties, issues, interests, and outcomes
- Principles of effective negotiation
- Roles of negotiation in peace building.
Unit 2. Theories, Styles, and Strategies of Negotiation
- Workplace negotiation: Labor Union - Management Negotiation
- Distributive vs.
- Integrative negotiation
- Win-win vs. Win-lose approaches
- Major theories of negotiation:
- game theory, behavioral, psychological, communication -based
- Negotiation styles:
- competitive, collaborative, compromising, avoiding, accommodating
- Strategic planning for negotiation in national and international contexts.
Unit 3. Negotiation Process and Tactics
- Negotiation stages: preparation, opening, bargaining, closing, follow -up
- Communication skills for negotiation: active listening, effective questioning, body language, persuasion
- Common tactics for negotiation: anchoring, concessions, BATNA, ZOPA
- Role of power, information, time, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping outcomes of negotiation
- Team and multi-party negotiations
- Barriers in effective negotiations.
Unit 4. Conflict Resolution and Ethical Issues
- Meaning, Nature, sources , and Types of conflict
- Approaches to conflict resolution
- Collective bargaining vs. Negotiation vs. Mediation vs. Arbitration
- Ethics in negotiation:
- honesty, fairness, trust, deception
- Psychological biases in negotiation.
Unit 5. Cross-Cultural and Global Negotiations
- Cultural aspects of negotiation practices in Nepalese organizations: hierarchy, consensus, Collectivism, indirect communication
- Nepalese and Western cross-cultural influences in negotiation
- Gender and negotiation dynamics
- Negotiating in multicultural teams
- Global negotiation practices and challenges.
Suggested Readings:
Adhikari, L. D. (2023). Exploring t he negotiation strategy of Nepal at the World Trade Organization. Prashasan: The Nepalese Journal of Public Administration, 54(1), 113–124. Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (2011). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in (3rd ed.). Penguin Books. Gates, S. (2022). The negotiation book: Your definitive guide to successful negotiating (3rd ed.). Wiley. Kayastha, N., Paudel, U. R., & Mahapatra, S. (2024). Managerial negotiation and conflict resolution on banking sector of K athmandu Valley: Evidence from structural equation modelling. Quest Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 6 (2), 397 –408. https://doi.org/10.3126/qjmss.v6i2.69107. Kolb, D. M., & Williams, J. (2000). Everyday negotiation: Navigating the hidden agendas in bargaining. Jossey-Bass. Lewicki, R. J., Saunders, D. M., & Barry, B. (2021). Negotiation (8th ed.). McGraw -Hill Education. Salacuse, J. W. (2003). The global negotiator: Making, managing and mending deals around the world in the twenty-first century. Palgrave Macmillan. Sharma, B. (2024, September 5). The ability to negotiate effectively is not just a skill but a necessity. Nepal Live Today. https://www.nepallivetoday.com Shell, G. R. (2006). Bargaining for advantage: Negotiation strategies for reasona ble people (2nd ed.). Penguin Books. Voss, C., & Raz, T. (2016). Never split the difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it . Harper Business.