Collaboration and Culture: Organizational Culture and the Dynamics of Collaborative Policy Networks

Abstract

This paper presents a theory of the role of culture in collaborative policy networks. It builds on the literature that analyzes the factors related to the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of collaborative arrangements by demonstrating the importance of hitherto undertheorized cultural factors. Cultural theory indicates that actors with different cultural viewpoints have distinct and predictable biases in terms of their expectations of collaboration and their preferences concerning how collaborative policy networks are structured. These biases, in turn, shape how collaborative partners are chosen and how collaborative relationships are maintained over time. The theory is illustrated with a case study of the rise and dissolution of a coalition within a housing policy network in Los Angeles. The case illustrates that cultural differences can impede collaboration even when organizations share similar policy goals.

Three Cultural Boundaries of Science, Institutions, and Policy: A Cultural Theory of Coproduction, Boundary‐Work, and Change

“…Various political and policy studies using CT, some including scientists as actors, have already been quite successful in specifying aspects of the cultural context that Gieryn considers important for boundary‐work—such as the players and stakeholders, their goals and interests, the arenas in which they operate, and how people figure out which actors to trust (Gieryn, , pp. 17–18, 21) (see, e.g., Ellis & Thompson, ; Gastil, Braman, Kahan, & Slovic, 2011; Jenkins‐Smith, Silva, Gupta, & Ripberger, ; Jenkins‐Smith & Smith, 1994; Jones, ; Jones & Song, ; Kahan, , , 2013, ; Kahan, Braman, Slovic, Gastil, & Cohen, ; Kahan, Braman, Cohen, Gastil & Slovic, ; Lachapelle, Montpetit, & Gauvin, ; Ripberger, Gupta, Silva, & Jenkins‐Smith, ; Ripberger, Jenkins‐Smith, & Herron, 2011; Weare, Lichterman, & Esparza, ). These studies have also been good at demonstrating the culturally constructed character of facts and claims, which should not surprise Gieryn, since he thought CT might be helpful in this way.…”

Rebuilding higher education institutions in post-conflict contexts: Policy networks, process, perceptions, & patterns

“…There is a burgeoning body of research that explores the notion of culture (in its many forms) and its role in policy networks, as well as the impact of culture on the policy-making process (Weare et al, 2014). ' [N]etwork structures that are highly fragmented (characterized by many disconnected groups of actors) or sparse (characterized by few overall relationships) potentially signal entrenched political conflict and noncooperation' (Henry, 2011, p. 361).…”

Comparative Public Policy: Origins, Themes, New Directions

“…Weare et al () find support for the notion that cultural biases influence whether policymaking is cooperative or adversarial. Importantly, these authors demonstrate that the impact of culture is independent from both actors’ material interests and institutional decision rules: two pillars of explanation in rational choice theory (Scharpf, ; Titmuss, ).…”