Mediation as Moral Reconstruction: Internal Reframing in Workplace Conflict

Abstract

This article investigates how parties in workplace mediation transform their perceptions of self and other during conflict. Drawing on extensive qualitative data from workplace mediation cases and participant interviews, the study uncovers a process of internal reframing initiated by moments of narrative surprise and emotional dissonance. Central to this transformation is the evolution of what we term “virtue stance” — the shifting moral orientation individuals hold toward themselves and their counterparts. Rather than viewing conflict transformation as primarily driven by external facilitation, the findings show that sustainable change emerges from participants’ own internal negotiation of moral meaning and relational identity. By illuminating these subtle psychological and moral dynamics, the study offers a new perspective on how genuine reconciliation and renewed cooperation can unfold in organizational contexts.