Examining the Role of Trust and Informal Communication on Mutual Learning in Government

Abstract

Although public agencies must mutually coordinate climate policy and other complex environmental issues, the extent and relative importance of informal networks and different dimensions of trust to the process remains underresearched. Addressing this, we conducted surveys and interviews with civil servants from numerous agencies and three levels of government working on climate change-related policy in the state of New York. We examined the effect of two network properties on mutual learning on climate change-related issues: the extent to which interagency communication takes places through formal and informal channels, and the distribution of two dimensions of trust ("fair play" and "relational comfort") across the network. Our analysis revealed that formal communication among staff at different agencies was utilized more often than informal and that interagency relationships were more characterized by a feeling of "fair play" than by "relational comfort," yet informal communication and Relational Comfort were the most important in facilitating interagency collaboration.

Different Reasons for Different Responses: A Review of Incumbents’ Adaptation in Carbon-Intensive Industries

“…Based on the findings of previous studies, examining organizational responses and the factors and forces driving them can add to the existing discussion on reasons for becoming sustainable (Bansal & Roth, 2000; Hahn, Preuss, Pinkse, & Figge, 2014). Moreover, for policymakers, it can be of major interest to learn more about factors and forces that lead to specific organizational responses (Kondoh, 2009; Pulver, 2007; Temby, Sandall, Cooksey, & Hickey, 2017). This study provides a relevant overview of existing knowledge on different reasons for different responses of incumbents’ adaptation in carbon-intensive industries.…”

Introduction

“…2 Three articles mention climate adaptation. Two of those have adaptation as a context, but explore other issues as their main focus, specifically social learning (Orsato, et al 2018) and network learning (Temby et al, 2016). Only one paper in that journal looks at climate adaptation as its main focus and the implications for organisation.…”

Too much of a good thing? A systematic review about the conditions of learning in governance networks

“…In urban transport and planning, cities search for relevant lessons among their most trusted partners (Marsden et al, 2012). In the study of communication channels related to climate change governance in New York City, Temby et al (2017) find that trust is a positive predictor of information use for decision making. As far as collective learning is concerned, studies point out that trust reduces the cost of collaboration and supports the diffusion of ideas between actors.…”

“…Similarly, a study about agri‐environmental policy in Belgium reports a correlation between regular interactions with environmental organizations and policy adoption by the farmers (Dedeurwaerdere, Polard, & Melindi‐Ghidi, 2015). In the same vein, the frequency of both formal and informal communication has fostered knowledge acquisition in the governance of climate change in New York (Temby, Sandall, Cooksey, & Hickey, 2017). Intense social relations matter for collective learning too.…”