Online Mediation in E-Commerce Matters

Abstract

Conflict is not an exceptional fact in a human being's life but an ordinary phenomenon in relationships between parties who have different points of view and different positions. Moreover, e-commerce has increased its importance in the last years because of its usefulness in the business world. Information and communications technology is an unquestionable reality, and because of that, online relationships should be developed in an agile, certain, and peaceful way. To that effect, it must be emphasized that an amicable settlement instead of going to court could be appropriate in this field. Therefore, mediation is a useful instrument in order to fulfill that task because even through the intervention of a mediator, the solution arises from the decision of the parties. The aim of this chapter is to describe why online mediation is an appropriate instrument for conflict solving in the e-commerce field and what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this ODR not only for citizens but also for organizations.