A Survey on Dispute Incidence and Resolution in Small and Medium Enterprises

Abstract

The paper analyzes data on reported incidence of disputes in small and medium enterprises in the National Capital Region of the Philippines from a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in late 2006.  The paper examines the incidence of disputes with customers, suppliers, employees, local and national government agencies, competitors and communities or civil society organizations, in these enterprises.  Survey data show that the enterprises resort to internal mechanisms as well as to third parties and legal processes to resolve disputes. Finally, the paper finds a role for external non-government organization to assist these enterprises in dispute reduction or resolution.