The Formation Mechanism of Collaborative Governance Between Governmentand Social Organizations: An Analysis Framework for Inter-organizational Consensus Cognition Construction
Zhang Shunyu1,2,3, Yu Jianxing4,2,1, Zhu Xinyi4
1.School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China 2.Research Institute of Social Governance, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China 3.School of Public Administration, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Gangzhou 510000, China 4.School of Public Administration, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Abstract：Existing researches on the relationship between government and social organizations demonstrates that there have been strategic characteristics between government and social organizations cooperation. However, the fundamental condition and formation mechanisms of collaborative governance have not been clarified. The general theory of organization provides a new theoretical framework for answering the above questions, and relevant opinions can deduce the following hypotheses. Firstly, inter-organizational interaction for achieving collaborative governance objectives requires participating organizations to exert the attributes of an open system from the beginning. Secondly, the consensus cognition based on the clarity of informational perception about cooperation issues and the consistency of behavioral intentions is a necessary condition for collaborative governance actions among organizations. Thirdly, the agile adjustment and interlocking support of the normative structure and behavioral structure between cooperative organizations constitute the main content of cooperative governance actions. Finally, cooperative action will increase the uncertainty of the cooperative environment and the possibility of issue changes, thereby affecting the ultimate realization of cooperative governance goals. This paper analyzes the case of collaborative governance of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Cangnan County (in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province), a typical and successful practice of collaboration between government and social organizations. The process and outcome of practice in this case fully supports the hypotheses. The conclusions of case analysis can be summarized in the following aspects. First of all, consensus cognition of cooperative issues among organizations is the basic precondition for effective collaboration. Besides, clarity of informational perception and consistency of behavioral intentions are indispensable. Next, the construction and maintenance of consensus cognition is complicated and evolving, and it requires organizations to adjust cooperative action strategies consciously according to the cognitive results formed by the organizations. Again, integration and mutual support between normative structure and behavioral structure can be the main component to achieve effectiveness of collaborative governance. Finally, order construction, intention generation, advantage integration and action adjustment between multiple subjects are the formation mechanisms for achieving good collaborative governance effects. The essence of the good collaboration between government departments and social organizations is to establish and maintain a governance community pursuing common values and goals. “Consensus and cooperation” as basic elements of the social governance community have been clearly described and defined in the effective collaborative governance process between government and social organizations. The establishment of consensus in the social governance community requires multiple stakeholders with interests to achieve a high degree of consistency in information perception and behavioral intentions based on compatible cooperation goals and smooth communication channels. Effective community collaborative governance requires multiple entities to integrate resource advantages, adjust the pace of action, respond to changing issues, and achieve tangible governance effects. The conclusions not only address the conditions and mechanisms of collaborative governance between government and social organizations clearly, but also expand the literature on the relationship between government and social organizations from the perspective of institutions and actions. Moreover, this paper further clarifies that governance community should include the composite attributes and basic significance of information exchange, knowledge sharing, emotional integration, complementary actions, and mutual value.
2022, Vol. 52 
