Evolution of a Dynamic Theory of Collaboration: Modeling Intergovernmental Use of Information Technology Prepared for the 2002 System Dynamics Research Conference, Palermo, Italy Presented at the Conference by: Dr. David F. Andersen Ignacio J. Martínez-Moyano Center for Technology in Government / Rockefeller College University at Albany July 2002

Authors

Contents Where we’ve been: Project history and critical theoretical problems Where we are: Approaching solutions Where we might go: Toward a dynamic theory of collaborative IT

Where We’ve Been: Project History and Some Problems with Representation and Theory

Motivation Interorganizational partnerships are widely recognized as a powerful strategy to improve public sector initiatives in order to significantly increase the quality of their services. Information Technology plays a key role in this partnerships.

Motivation Researchers at the Center of Technology in Government have studied knowledge and information sharing in interorganizational networks in the Public Sector for years. Their analyses have provided evidence of the existence of feedback processes influencing collaboration and knowledge sharing. A dynamic theory of collaboration could be a powerful instrument to improve success in IT intensive projects.

Motivation The creation of better understanding and better models of interorganizational dynamics.

Time Line January 2001 March Modeling Sessions Modeling Work Trust1 Collaboration 1 Collaboration 2 June 2002 Knowledge- Based Trust 1

First Model

Structure Elicitation (Original image redrawn in Vensim)

Reflector Feedback

Model Sectors

Trust 1

Behavior

Second Model

Reflector Feedback

Conceptual Model

Collaboration 1

Collaboration 2

Behavior

Problems Trust1 has no trust An infectious theory of collaboration? Collaboration 1 has no collaboration Collaboration 2 is a single-actor collaboration model (a half-collaboration model?) Conceptual blurring

Critical Theoretical Problems 1-party, 2-party, multi-party focus Multiple stages of IT development and scale-up issues –Understanding / specification discovery –Prototype construction –Production system implementation Dependence on highly abstract variables –What drives changes to TRUST and ENGAGEMENT? What do they do?

Where We Are: Approaching Solutions

Where We Are (*) We are about here * Diagram taken from: Randers, J., Ed. (1980). Elements of the System Dynamics Method. Cambridge MA, Productivity Press.

Third Model

Building on Black (2002) Research

Model Overview

Project Work

Knowledge, Engagement, and Trust

Model Main reinforcing processes

Behavior

Where We Might Go: New Model Simulations Contributions

Potential Contributions Theoretical –Explore scale-up issues in phases of IT work –Explore differences and similarities in interagency and intergovernmental IT work Practical –Develop a cross-project comparison tool –Use model scenarios as training

The 3 Models (summary) Trust 1 –Centered in Project Dynamics and how these influence trust and collaboration. Collaboration 2 –Centered around the interaction dynamics of HIMS team members and how these influence trust and collaboration. Knowledge-Based Trust 1 –Centered around the dynamics generated by the use of facilitative tools and methods in the collaborative effort and how these influence trust and collaboration.

The Products Generated International Conference of the System Dynamics Society –19 th Atlanta 2000 A.A Preliminary System Dynamics Model of Intergovernmental Collaboration B.Group Modeling of IT-Based Innovations in the Public Sector –20 th Palermo 2001 A.Evolution of a Dynamic Theory of Collaboration: Modeling Intergovernmental Use of Information Technology Hawaiian International Conference on Systems Sciences –HICSS A.Modeling Intergovernmental Collaboration: A System Dynamics Approach –HICSS A.A Dynamic Theory of Collaboration: A Structural Approach to Facilitating Intergovernmental Use of Information Technology