A Comparative Analysis of Negotiation Management Principles in the Qur’anic Story of Moses and Pharaoh: Practical Insights for Developing Contemporary Negotiation Strategies
Subject Areas : Islamic governance
Fatemeh Haghnejad
1
,
Rasoul Asgarpour
2
*
,
Ahmadreza Shekarchi Zadeh
3
,
Reza Ebrahimzadeh
4
1 - Department of Management, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
4 - Associate Professor, Department of Management, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan , Iran
Keywords: Contemporary Negotiation Strategies, Comparative Analysis, Conflict Resolution, Moses and Pharaoh, Organization,
Abstract :
In today’s dynamic, competitive, and uncertain organizational environment, negotiation has emerged as one of the most fundamental leadership and management competencies. Negotiation not only serves as a strategic tool for achieving organizational objectives and effectively resolving conflicts but also provides a critical platform for making vital decisions and fostering constructive interactions both within and outside the organization. Although contemporary management literature has introduced numerous theories and frameworks—such as win-win negotiation, constructive conflict resolution, and advanced communication models—recent interdisciplinary research highlights that a systematic reexamination of classical sources, particularly the teachings embedded in religious texts, can contribute to developing a deeper and more human-centered negotiation management paradigm.
The Holy Qur’an, as a comprehensive text with an ethical and humanistic orientation, offers foundational principles regarding negotiation and the handling of asymmetric power dynamics. This study employs a comparative analytical approach to examine the narrative of the dialogue and confrontation between Prophet Moses (Musa) and Pharaoh, extracting key dimensions such as the negotiator’s mental preparedness, commitment to human dignity and respectful dialogue, management of relational and power balance, and adherence to professional ethics. These principles are then juxtaposed with contemporary negotiation frameworks.
Findings indicate that the dynamics of successful negotiation transcend mere techniques and tactics; rather, negotiation should be understood as a complex yet deeply human process requiring the integration of strategic rationality, ethical judgment, and dignity-centered behavior at all stages of interaction. Such an approach can pave the way for developing indigenous, intercultural, and ethically grounded negotiation models in management, ultimately enhancing decision quality and organizational relational effectiveness.
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