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Deciding How to Decide: Cultural Theory and Rule Making in Collaborative Watershed Organizations
Author(s) -
Horndeski Kimberly A.,
Koontz Tomas M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
policy studies journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1541-0072
pISSN - 0190-292X
DOI - 10.1111/psj.12279
Subject(s) - dimension (graph theory) , collaborative governance , corporate governance , value (mathematics) , group decision making , field (mathematics) , knowledge management , hofstede's cultural dimensions theory , decision rule , management science , sociology , political science , public relations , epistemology , computer science , economics , management , social science , law , microeconomics , philosophy , mathematics , machine learning , pure mathematics
The growing field of collaborative governance has long sought to explain processes of collective decision making. Insights from institutional analysis highlight the influence of rules in shaping collective decisions. Yet, less is known about how such rules are created; in other words, how collaborative organizations decide how to decide. By drawing on concepts from Cultural Theory, we examine the connections between worldviews and decision rules across four collaborative watershed organizations in Ohio, United States. Results from this comparative case analysis indicate correlations between the group dimension of worldview and decision rules about choice, as well as between the grid dimension of worldview and two different types of decision rules, choice and aggregation. These results highlight the explanatory value of integrating aspects of Cultural Theory with the Institutional Analysis and Development framework. Results also suggest how governments might more effectively engage with collaborative organizations.