UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Moser, Michael
Dept./Program:
Community Development and Applied Economics
Year:
2006
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to develop a greater understanding of the forces at play between stakeholder groups as they collaborate. To this end, the Rio Negro, Honduras case study is presented. The case study approach, though not generalizable, provides key insights into stakeholder characteristics and interactions that can contribute to, or detract from collaboration. The literature review presented in chapter two begins with a brief description and definition of collaboration. It then sets the context for collaboration among stakeholders in international development projects with a description of one system of levels of analysis that can be applied to this context. Chapter two then goes on to introduce and define stakeholder characteristics and interactions within the recent literature.
Stakeholder characteristics include stakeholders' affiliations, missions and methodologies, resources, and their perceived risk or level of trust. Stakeholder interactions in collaboration are identified as: communication, resource sharing, and power sharing. Chapter two then identifies the author's Levels of Collaboration Continuum. This continuum, based in recent research, includes four main stages identified by the author. These are: no relationship, coordination, cooperation, and full collaboration.
In the case study section of this thesis (chapter four), the Rio Negro case study is introduced. The case study is comprised of three "focal points" of the research. These include field research visits conducted in the spring of 2002, 2003, and 2004. Research included use of multiple qualitative techniques such as interviews and observations. Analysis utilized a negotiation analysis framework presented by Michael Watkins (2000). The resulting findings, though not applicable to general contexts, indicate that stakeholder characteristics and interactions did indeed play important roles in determining the levels of collaboration that were achieved among the Rio Negro case study stakeholders.
Stakeholder characteristics include stakeholders' affiliations, missions and methodologies, resources, and their perceived risk or level of trust. Stakeholder interactions in collaboration are identified as: communication, resource sharing, and power sharing. Chapter two then identifies the author's Levels of Collaboration Continuum. This continuum, based in recent research, includes four main stages identified by the author. These are: no relationship, coordination, cooperation, and full collaboration.
In the case study section of this thesis (chapter four), the Rio Negro case study is introduced. The case study is comprised of three "focal points" of the research. These include field research visits conducted in the spring of 2002, 2003, and 2004. Research included use of multiple qualitative techniques such as interviews and observations. Analysis utilized a negotiation analysis framework presented by Michael Watkins (2000). The resulting findings, though not applicable to general contexts, indicate that stakeholder characteristics and interactions did indeed play important roles in determining the levels of collaboration that were achieved among the Rio Negro case study stakeholders.