Conflict resolution was created to help solve labor disputes in the mid twentieth century and was a founding principle of Cornell's ILR School. Today, conflict resolution is used to navigate complex issues outside of the realm of labor relations.
John Bickerman, president, Bickerman Dispute Resolution PLLC and lecturer at ILR, is working to resolve the conflict over water rights from the Colorado River. This an example of a more complex dispute with multiple parties, as opposed to the traditional two-party, labor-management dispute.