每个ODR中参与者的角色和职责与ADR的参与者略有不同。例如，在ODR的，调解员有额外的责任，如对缔约方计算机的使用教育，以及协调不同的跨文化沟通方式。在一个在线社区环境，调解员还必须是社会信誉良好的会员，以便他可以熟悉社区规范规则。在混合ODR中调解员作为记录持有者将组织信息的交换，并决定何时已取得足够的进展需进行会议。此外，不用于传统的ADR，ODR是经常进行的，没有律师既节约成本也使得使当事人之间直接沟通。事实上，一些ODR的过程中，如计算机辅助ODR，也没有必要的律师在场。
ODR的未来
目前，ODR的成功案例一直偏低。一些ODR的供应商在设计一套即适用又能满足用户需求的系统上面临困难。有的ODR的供应商虽提供调解员程序等，但更复杂的服务却无法保证长期维持，因为有的ODR成本仍然高于争议的金额。然而，由于许多司法管辖区并没有法律约束ODR的裁决，当事人仍觉得ODR是可采用的。
但毕竟法院耗时过长，一些国家如美国，正在投入更多的资源进行ODR有效实施的系统调查。最终，ODR的成功将取决于其低廉、方便、可靠和专业的优势，ODR的供应商必须以可预测的方式运作：即那些正在使用的服务将得到保证，他们参与的公平性和实用性，付出是值得可靠的，ODR的方法和工具的使用应该是透明的。在未来，ODR将会更普遍的应用于商事纠纷争议中，也可能形成ODR的国际规范以确保统一的应用。只要通过进一步发展，ODR将充分发挥其潜力成为一种经济、便捷、有效的争端解决方式。
【作者简介】
赵扬，单位为中南大学。
【注释】本文译自：
http://www.mbb.ca/Interview/IntroductiontoODR.htm
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