Complex Public Problems Research Articles

Commitment to Place as Motivation for Citizen-Based Watershed Collaboration: BIMBY Effect

A growing literature in citizen-based collaboration extols the many virtues of collaboration to address complex public problems. Little attention has been paid, however, to the underlying motivation for citizen participation. Drawn from three case studies of citizen-based environmental collaborations, this paper examines the motivations of citizens to engage in collaboration. The research suggests that a longstanding commitment to “place” is an important driver for collaboration. The findings of this paper can assist citizen-based environmental collaborative groups to identify ways to more effectively engage citizens in local collaborative efforts.

Collaborative water governance model for potable urban water supply in Riau Province, Indonesia

ABSTRACT The literature suggests that collaborative governance is a promising framework for addressing complex public problems while some cases have also marked failure in its implementation. Furthermore, the complexities and factors of the collaborative governance context must be understood at the early stage, as they may affect its sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to understand ‘what works and what doesn't’ and the need for sustainability of urban potable water management in Dumai City, Rokan Hilir Regency, and Bengkalis Regency through cross-sectoral collaboration and develop the best model to be developed for this collaboration. This study uses a soft system methodology in the urban potable water supply system of Riau Province with a wide range of stakeholders through in-depth interviews, thematic analysis, and the creation of purposeful activity models and rich pictures to uncover and address complex issues. The study found that the implementation of collaborative water management in urban areas with the collaborative water governance approach has worked well in the short term. However, it has not enhanced organizational autonomy or fostered trust and reciprocity dimensions in the long term. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of a collaborative supervisory board that will open internal and external opportunities.

Governance modes, mayoral leadership and transitions to public sector co-creation across Europe

Increasing interest in ‘co-creation’ raises an intriguing question about the role that political leaders can play. This role may have changed as wider models of public governance have evolved from Traditional Public Administration and New Public Management to more collaborative and networked approaches. With growing recognition that local solutions to complex public policy problems are needed, the role of mayors as important political leaders has come into sharp focus, yet few have considered how governance context influences political leadership of co-creation. Drawing on strands of theory on public governance and leadership, we specify how extant governance models can influence political leaders’ attempts to inspire co-creation. We illustrate these proposals by showing how mayors performed leadership to inspire co-creation in two contrasting cases drawn from Roskilde, Denmark, and Ljubljana, Slovenia. We demonstrate, counterintuitively, that an embedded form of TPA that coincided with a hierarchical approach to leadership better supported the adoption of co-creation. Thus, we propose that mayors may resourcefully adapt co-creation to local contexts. Political leaders may find these conclusions insightful for understanding how governance context may impact their co-creation efforts.

Front porch conversations: Methodological innovations to participatory action research and asset-based community development


 
 
 Complex public problems are resistant to top-down, technical solutions creating the need for new and innovative ways of approaching community. In response, many practitioners working in community development organisations have embraced community strengths- or asset-based approaches to community development, including Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). Similarly, those scholars committed to social change have started to include action research/learning and participatory approaches to their research design, including Participatory Action Research (PAR). This article describes a qualitative method that was developed by a non-profit practitioner working for a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and a researcher from a land-grant university in Manhattan, Kansas to operationalise a neighbourhood revitalisation framework with a community conversation series called Front Porch Conversations. The qualitative method developed by the university-nonprofit partnership –called the Front Porch Development Procedure – serves as both a PAR-informed mode of inquiry and an ABCD-informed mode of development. This method provides an example of how university-community partnerships can approach changemaking in novel ways by considering ABCD and PAR approaches.
 
 

Data Analysis in Factors of Social Entrepreneurship Tools in Complex Thinking: An exploratory study

This work presents the results of an exploratory pilot that analyzes the factors that influence self-reported social entrepreneurship competency and previous family backgrounds that might positively influence the development of the set of sub-competencies of complex thinking. It has been observed that individuals who put into practice the competencies that make up complex thinking perform better in overcoming the challenges of generating social value in contemporary society. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 47 students attending a private Higher Education Institution in Mexico using the “Profile of the Social Entrepreneur Instrumentóó. The data analysis comprised 1) validation of the instruments reliability, 2) tendencies and the frequency distribution of the data, 3) grouping by entrepreneurial family background, 4) the principal component analysis and 5) a clustering analysis. Our results support that forming Complex Thinking competencies for social entrepreneurship is not directly influenced by previous family experiences. Still, they recognize that these experiences are relevant in helping students become familiar with entrepreneurship-related issues. This paper empirically supports the hypotheses that social entrepreneurship experiences affect the correlations between social innovations and resolving complex global public problems.

Can NPOs convene collaborative governance in China? —a case of addressing complex water conflicts

ABSTRACT Collaborative governance is considered to be a promising solution to solve complex public policy problems. However, in authoritarian states, the initiation and organization of collaborative governance can be challenging as it often faces political and practical constraints. In response to these challenges, some enthusiastic local governments experimented using a third party to act as convenors of collaborative governance in China. This article conducted in-depth and longitudinal analyses of the case of NPO-GZ, which was contracted as the convenor for collaborative governance to resolve a water pollution conflict between two villages. The research established some critical conditions for a professional convenor of this nature to succeed in China. This research contributes to the growing literature on the possibility of improving developing collaborative governance in an authoritarian political system.

Regional network‐building for complexity: A region‐oriented policy response to increasing and varied demands for older person care in the Netherlands

AbstractNetworks are increasingly seen as promising generic solutions to complex public problems. This article analyzes network‐building in action within a specific regional setting as an attempt to cope with increasing and varied demands for older person care, studying everyday organizational and policy activities of actors. Drawing on a qualitative in‐depth case study of a regional network in Zeeland—the most aging region in the Netherlands—our findings illuminate how this network is created, nurtured, and sustained, and the particularities and complexities this involves. Our practice‐based approach demonstrates that network‐building requires the ongoing work of many agents within organizational contexts, as well as the outside interference of stakeholders to make the network “work” within the wider population of networks, institutional context, and geographical place. This highlights to network literature the importance of place‐based interventions that characterize how a network develops and pursues opportunities to come up with suitable responses to local needs.

Preference change in stakeholder group-decision processes in the public sector: Extent, causes and implications

Public decisions are typically related to large investments leaving long legacies. We should therefore strive for wide societal agreement regarding such decisions, which meet the diversity of preferences between stakeholders and over time. But if, how and why do stakeholder preferences change over time? In decision analysis, these questions received little attention. We explored them using three real-world public decision processes, based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). We used repeatedly elicited ranking of objectives over time. These were obtained during three to five moderated workshops we organised several months apart (total N = 200 questionnaires, and 100 stakeholders). We analysed individual and aggregated (group) preferences, their changes and potential drivers including demographic and experience variables. We also analysed the effect of preference evolution on the performance of decision-alternatives with MCDA over time. We found that stakeholder preferences often changed over time, both on an individual and group level. These changes did not systematically diminish over time, but some convergence of preferences was observed for stakeholders who repeatedly participated in workshops. High-ranking objectives were relatively stable and similar between stakeholders. While preference changes could not be explained by demographics and personal experiences, repeated interaction with the decision problem might play a role. Neither the observed disagreement between stakeholders, nor the preference changes over time affected the best and worst performing alternatives in our decision problems. Thus, despite changing stakeholder preferences over time, public decision-makers can contrive robust solutions to complex public decision problems in the present.

The Co-creation Paradox: Small Towns and the Promise and Limits of Collaborative Governance for Low-Carbon, Sustainable Futures

Co-creation is considered a ‘near perfect strategy’ for resolving complex and unruly public problems, such as climate change. Based on data collected among small Scandinavian towns, this article investigates the role of co-creation in the urban governance of climate- and sustainability responses by looking at their vertical and horizontal integration in the wider polycentric governance framework. The article has a two-fold aim. First, it develops an analytical framework for investigating how small towns and municipalities navigate in a range of governance contexts based on two strains of theories on collaborative governance and urban climate governance. Second, it applies this framework to a comparative study of small towns to analyse how co-creation plays a strategic role across types and scales of governance in relation to an evolving climate agenda. The article finds that new forms of public leadership in each of the three municipalities and towns is a main factor in the ‘remaking’ of collaborative planning arenas, triple helix partnerships, business alliances, city networks and collaborative pilot projects, much in a similar manner as observed in global cities. Co-creation is extensively employed as a proactive policy- and leadership instrument. However, the nature of response is uneven across the cases compared. A co-creation paradox is suggested: limited municipal politico-administrative leadership and capacity correspond to a low level of ability to engage in co-creation of solutions. This implies that those organisations with the most need for co-creation may have the least capacity to do so.

Gamified environmental multi‐criteria decision analysis: information on objectives and range insensitivity bias

AbstractMulti‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is well suited to address complex public policy problems but could benefit from new tools to involve many laypeople. Online information on specialized topics could be more engaging by including game elements. This paper reports an experiment that assessed a gamified interface to (1) inform laypeople about the objectives to consider in wastewater management decisions, (2) assist them in constructing range‐based preferences, and (3) provide a positive experience. We measured the effects with (1) a knowledge pre‐ and posttest, (2) the elicited weights and a range sensitivity index, and (3) an experience questionnaire based on self‐determination theory. Answers from 174 participants indicated that participants learnt about the objectives and constructed preferences in both the gamified and control treatments. However, in neither were weights sufficiently adjusted. Our gamification making the ranges salient did not help overcome this bias. Both treatments were experienced as neutral to positive, the gamified being more entertaining. We discuss implications: if gamification of tools for participatory decision‐making is to be promoted, it requires further research. Range insensitivity remains an unresolved bias in MCDA.

Factors for collaboration amongst smart city stakeholders: A local government perspective

A collaborative ecosystem of diverse stakeholders is seen as critical in smart cities for solving complex public problems and overcoming socio-technical hurdles. However, little is known about the factors that may increase collaboration amongst smart city stakeholders. Through a digital government lens, we first elaborate the nature of multi-stakeholder collaboration in the smart city. Then, we adopt a contingency approach to unpack the factors that affect the intensity of collaboration between the stakeholders in the smart city ecosystem. To characterize the ecosystem, we use the quadruple-helix framework. Through the perspective of the local government, we derive hypotheses on whether certain factors lead to more intensive collaboration, which are tested on a sample of Belgian municipalities. Our findings reveal the importance of smart city strategies for intensifying collaboration between the local government and stakeholders in the ecosystem. Moreover, we also find that for large ecosystems, a smart city manager or department may facilitate collaboration amongst stakeholders. Taken together, our findings indicate that there are certain configurational approaches to increasing collaboration in smart cities, which will depend on the context of a city.

Coordinated Governance in the VUCA Scenario

This article deals with coordination in the study and practice of governance. Facing the new generation of complex public problems will require not only greater coordination, but also coordination that can only be built from a long-term systemic and global vision, based on governments with effective institutional capacity. In other words, internal sufficiency and external connectivity will be two key factors in the new governance. The article is structured in six sections. After the introduction, the second one analyses the concept of governance in terms of coordination. The third reviews the meaning of coordination as management of interdependencies. The fourth explores the increase in complexity and interdependence in the current scenario, through the VUCA concept (English acronym for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity). The fifth examines some challenges of global governance and coordination through the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, it presents some conclusions.

Designing and implementing data collaboratives: A governance perspective

Recently, attention has been paid to the opportunities of data sharing across government sectors for complex public problems. These so-called ‘data collaboratives’ are seen as a novel way of leveraging different sources of data and expertise for societal impact. Data collaboratives come with new challenges that might require new governance structures and processes. So far, scant attention has been paid in the literature to data collaborative governance. This study aims to fill that gap. Building upon the collaborative governance and information sharing literature, a framework for Data Collaborative Governance is developed. This framework was tested in a living lab that focused on the public problem of anti-social behavior. Empirical data was collected over a period of one and a half years and analyzed based on an abductive research approach. The findings show that data sharing adds new elements to collaborative governance theory and practice. This study also demonstrates that a living lab is a promising methodology for studying data collaboratives. Finally, it shows that working across boundaries of organizations and sharing data to address complex problems in more collaborative ways has the potential to generate insights for complex public problems.

Exploring the Need for More Women in Leadership Roles in Public Health and Emergency Response Logistics

Situations like Coronavirus (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses, and the damaged caused by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 in Puerto Rico create complex health public health management logistics problems. Disasters and pandemics often demand logistics planning to involve large-scale transportation of medical aid in the form of personnel and supplies, specialized equipment, and personnel for search and rescue, food, shelter, and other commodities used in massive relief operations. The research suggests improvements in organizational culture, modernization of recruitment strategies, and enhancement of leadership and professional development as approaches to improve gender diversity in leadership roles in emergency public health supply chain and logistics management. This paper provides emergency and disaster public health supply chain and logistics management practitioners and scholars insight into the dynamics of gender disparity in leadership roles in public health supply chain management.

Ambidexterity in Cross-Sector Collaborations Involving Public Organizations

This article extends the concept of organizational ambidexterity to encompass knowledge exploration and exploitation in cross-sector collaborations. Collaborations are frequently charged to devise or implement innovative solutions to longstanding complex public problems. Research on organizational management suggests that the capability to both explore and exploit knowledge—dubbed organizational ambidexterity—is an important contributor to innovation and long-term organizational performance. If cross-sector collaborations must innovate to address longstanding problems, and innovation requires the ability to explore and exploit knowledge, then collaborations too should benefit from developing ambidextrous capabilities. Using an illustrative case of a large-scale cross-sector collaboration in the transportation field, we investigate whether and how a cross-sector collaboration can explore and exploit knowledge. Based on our analysis, we demonstrate that collaborative ambidexterity exists and discuss external antecedents and mechanisms internal to the collaboration that enable collaborative ambidexterity. We conclude with a set of propositions to advance theory and provide an agenda for future research.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ROLE OF SUB-DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE WORKERS (TKSK) IN THE POVERTY PREVENTION PROGRAM IN THE SOCIAL OFFICE OF BONE BOLANGO REGENCY

Poverty is considered as a complex and multidimensional public problem. Poverty problems become a complex problem so that a country cannot have the ability to eradicate poverty on its own. The majority of Indonesians are at a low economic level. This condition causes the poverty rate in Indonesia to increase from year to year.In the context of accelerating poverty reduction as well as developing policies in the field of social protection, the Government of Indonesia has implemented various poverty alleviation programs such as the social assistance program. To make the program successful, it is assisted by a team of sub-district social welfare workers (TKSK). The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the Role of Sub-District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) in the Poverty Reduction Program at the Social Office of Bone Bolango Regency and its inhibiting factors.The analytical method used in this research was a qualitative data analysis method, using an interactive model. The data collection model used in this research was conducted through observation, interviews and documentation.Based on the results of the study, it shows that the role of sub-district social welfare workers (TKSK) in the Poverty Reduction Program considering from the aspect of the role as coordinator, role as facilitator and role as administrator has been implemented but has not been effectively implemented. It also considers the competency factors and hindering facilities.

Citizens’ Governance Spaces: Democratic Action Through Disruptive Collective Problem-Solving

This article investigates the practical form of citizen engagement that occurs in collective problem-solving efforts such as civic enterprises, grassroots initiatives and self-help groups. Drawing on extensive empirical evidence from diverse policy fields, it articulates the distinct experimental and disruptive policy work that citizens enact in these citizens’ governance spaces and challenges dominant interpretations which view them as either (i) a testament to the capacity of citizens to effectively solve complex public problems or (ii) a symptom of advanced neoliberalism where states off-load complex problems onto citizens. The article moves beyond this dualism to consider the motivations, challenges, available resources and distinct democratic work enacted by citizens in these spaces of bottom-up governance. Citizens’ governance spaces, the article concludes, offer important lessons – both in terms of potential benefits and risks – for the project of deepening the quality and reach of citizen participation in modern systems of democracy.

Innovación y co-creación: nuevos desafíos para las políticas públicas

El gran desafío de las sociedades actuales se encuentra en la capacidad de desarrollar nuevas formas de trabajar colaborativamente con el objetivo de construir una visión-acción común para resolver problemas públicos complejos con una lógica transformadora. Estas transformaciones demandan nuevos abordajes transdisciplinarios, multiactorales y multisectoriales y, por lo tanto, integrales, dejando de lado los enfoques dicotómicos (Estado versus mercado versus Sociedad, competitividad versus equidad versus medio ambiente). Este artículo fundamenta la necesidad de innovar en los modelos de gobernanza colaborativa incorporando procesos de co-creación deliberativos que generen valor público a la sociedad

Addressing Complex Public Problems Through Coalition-Based Approaches: Collective Impact and the CEP Competencies

The most intractable public problems can be resolved only with the engagement of broad-based cross-sector coalitions. On university campuses, interdisciplinary coalitions are formed in recognition that one discipline alone cannot address a systemic challenge. Collective impact (Kania & Kramer, 2011, 2013) has emerged as a collaborative community-based approach to addressing entrenched, complex issues and may extrapolate well to community–campus engagement. This article explores the intersection of university and community approaches to addressing complex issues through coalition-based strategies, in particular the emerging role of community engagement professionals in leading change. Next-generation community engagement professionals play a key role in convening, facilitating, and leading campus–community coalitions to solve complex public problems. The preliminary competency model for community engagement professionals (Dostilio et al., 2017) includes cultivating the conditions for change as a core theme, including the convening of collaborative groups in the context of the interdisciplinary, cross-sector environment typical at the nexus of campuses and communities.

State Capabilities for Problem-Oriented Governance

AbstractGovernments around the world are increasingly recognizing the power of problem-oriented governance as a way to address complex public problems. As an approach to policy design and implementation, problem-oriented governance radically emphasizes the need for organizations to continuously learn and adapt. Scholars of public management, public administration, policy studies, international development, and political science have made important contributions to this problem-orientation turn; however, little systematic attention has been paid to the question of the state capabilities that underpin problem-oriented governance. In this article, we address this gap in the literature. We argue that three core capabilities are structurally conducive to problem-oriented governance: a reflective-improvement capability, a collaborative capability, and a data-analytic capability. The article presents a conceptual framework for understanding each of these capabilities, including their chief constituent elements. It ends with a discussion of how the framework can advance empirical research as well as public-sector reform.