Challenges of Partnerships & Networks ‘The Real Guide’ Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance Retreat Darcy Ashman, AED, 18 Oct. 2007

1. Interdependence Organizations prefer autonomy, but choose to work together to achieve common goals Organizations prefer autonomy, but choose to work together to achieve common goals Continuum of interdependence, from low to high levels of change to organizational autonomy Continuum of interdependence, from low to high levels of change to organizational autonomy Depend on good relationships among parties Depend on good relationships among parties Manage interdependence through appropriate structures for coordinating joint decision- making Manage interdependence through appropriate structures for coordinating joint decision- making

2. Building Relationships Good relationships = ‘social capital’ Good relationships = ‘social capital’ Take time to build; ‘virtuous cycles’ Take time to build; ‘virtuous cycles’ Performance pressures Performance pressuresStrategies: Build on pre-existing relationships Build on pre-existing relationships Collective planning, decision-making Collective planning, decision-making Transparency, open communication Transparency, open communication Joint review and adjustment Joint review and adjustment

Collaborative Management Structures: the ‘Hub’ Create new structures Create new structures Build lateral relationships within a hierarchy Build lateral relationships within a hierarchy Tend to be under-financed Tend to be under-financed Learn new ways of managing Learn new ways of managingStrategies Keep the ‘hub’ as lean & flexible as possible Keep the ‘hub’ as lean & flexible as possible Managers must direct through coordination Managers must direct through coordination Prioritize participation, communication, transparency, sharing benefits Prioritize participation, communication, transparency, sharing benefits

Phases of Network Management (McGuire, 2002) Activate: identify & incorporate the persons & resources needed to achieve program goals Activate: identify & incorporate the persons & resources needed to achieve program goals Mobilize: develop commitment & support for network processes from members Mobilize: develop commitment & support for network processes from members Synthesize & Stabilize: enhance conditions for productive interaction by facilitating interaction & linkages; reducing complexity & uncertainty by promoting information exchange Synthesize & Stabilize: enhance conditions for productive interaction by facilitating interaction & linkages; reducing complexity & uncertainty by promoting information exchange