A Dynamic Theory of Collaboration: A Structural Approach to Facilitating Intergovernmental Use of Information Technology
A Dynamic Theory of Collaboration: A Structural Approach to Facilitating Intergovernmental Use of Information Technology
Laura J. Black Montana State University Anthony M. Cresswell Theresa A. Pardo Fiona Thompson Donna S. Canestraro Meghan Cook Center for Technology in Government Luis F. Luna Ignacio J. Martinez David F. Andersen George P. Richardson Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy
Abstract
This paper explores the dynamics of trust, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in the context of a multigovernmental, interorganizational project to design and implement a new information system. Drawing on research and a case study of a successful project, the authors construct a system dynamics model and simulate a base case scenario. They then explore several scenarios in which trust, knowledge of other agencies’ work, and skill in meeting facilitation are varied, and they theorize about why certain facilitation attributes and objects can effectively build cross-boundary trust and collaboration.
1. Introduction
Trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration are central elements of effective interorganizational relationships. These elements are particularly important when the interorganizational relationships involve the development of innovation or new business processes. This paper reports on efforts to model the dynamics of trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in a such a project, to develop a new information system to be shared across public and private organizations.1 By constructing a dynamic model we strive to enrich the theoretical and practical understanding of trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in the context of interorganizational information technology (IT) intensive projects. The research group at the Center of Technology in Government (CTG) and the modeling group at the Rockefeller College have been working for about a year to develop a model of collaborative processes observed in a particularly successful case. The model
Laura J. Black Montana State University Anthony M. Cresswell Theresa A. Pardo Fiona Thompson Donna S. Canestraro Meghan Cook Center for Technology in Government Luis F. Luna Ignacio J. Martinez David F. Andersen George P. Richardson Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy
Abstract
This paper explores the dynamics of trust, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in the context of a multigovernmental, interorganizational project to design and implement a new information system. Drawing on research and a case study of a successful project, the authors construct a system dynamics model and simulate a base case scenario. They then explore several scenarios in which trust, knowledge of other agencies’ work, and skill in meeting facilitation are varied, and they theorize about why certain facilitation attributes and objects can effectively build cross-boundary trust and collaboration.
1. Introduction
Trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration are central elements of effective interorganizational relationships. These elements are particularly important when the interorganizational relationships involve the development of innovation or new business processes. This paper reports on efforts to model the dynamics of trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in a such a project, to develop a new information system to be shared across public and private organizations.1 By constructing a dynamic model we strive to enrich the theoretical and practical understanding of trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in the context of interorganizational information technology (IT) intensive projects. The research group at the Center of Technology in Government (CTG) and the modeling group at the Rockefeller College have been working for about a year to develop a model of collaborative processes observed in a particularly successful case. The model