Arbitrator characteristics and arbitrator decisions

This study uses a sample of 459 arbitrators to investigate the effect of arbitrator characteristics on arbitrated decisions in discharge and suspension cases. Little evidence is found of significant relationships between the characteristics of arbitrators and their decisions. The results raise serious doubts about the usefulness of the common labor and management practice of investigating arbitrators’ backgrounds as part of arbitrator selection procedures. The author thanks Yonatan Reshef for comments on an earlier version of the paper and Jehad Haymour and Margaret James for research assistance.