Institutionalization of durable multi-stakeholder collaborations

Abstract

The Dutch energy landscape is becoming more complex due to various interacting factors and uncertainties, creating what are known as "wicked problems" that demand collaborative solutions. This study addresses knowledge gaps by developing a collaborative guide for fostering effective Multi-Stakeholder Collaborations (MSCs) that can endure over time. Through literature reviews and interviews, 69 factors influencing MSC durability were identified and organized using innovative clustering techniques, resulting in the collaborative guide. To test the effectiveness of this guide and develop recommendations to an existing MSC, the guide is applied to the MMvIB project as a case study using a structured four-step approach known as the COOP method. This method involves Consultation, Observation, Organization, and Perpetual development phases. By prioritizing influential factors and adapting to project dynamics, this approach aims to enhance the long-term success of MSCs. The insights and methods derived from this research are relevant to a wide range of collaborative contexts. Future research should focus on refining the approach and developing implementation strategies for these factors.