Arbitration chambers and technology: witness tampering and perceived effectiveness in videoconferenced dispute resolution proceedings

Abstract

Ongoing technological advance brings change and arise trust issues in several traditional environments. Attitude and experience towards present and future use of online digital technologies and services in ADR proceedings may colour user perception of the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the technology employed. This study presents an exploratory analysis on issues related to non-presential ADR hearings and proceedings considering trust and assurance issues that intermediating technologies may bring. The data, collected in conjunction with an online survey and analysed using content analysis, points to that virtual hearings are in the early stages and users still suffer from technology anxieties and lack of practical experience. Also, human nature plays an important part in raising reliability issues for witness hearings and virtual proceedings.