AO: As the analyst’s definition showed (see Micro), they assume that a good collaborator follows the shared rules, norms and structures to act/decide. They note that the stakeholders must explicitly agree on the rules and norms to govern their interactive process (a change-oriented relationship).
AO: Their definition assumes an autonomous stakeholder which they say is crucial because stakeholders should retain their independent decision-making powers. While stakeholders might agree to relinquish some autonomy to the collaborative alliance, if they relinquish all autonomy, then a different organizational form is created, a merger perhaps, but not a collaboration.
AO: The analysts note that stakeholders can have both common and differing interests at the start of a collaborative venture, but the interests may change or be redefined as the collaboration proceeds (noting change over time).
AO: The analysts note that a collaboration is directed towards an objective but that doesn’t imply that the intended objective must be reached for the collaboration to occur.
AO: Analysts note agency being conceptualized not in terms of separation and control but in terms of fusion and acceptance. Authority is not derived from power or status but from “commonality of experience”; the process of building a joint appreciation enables all stakeholders to increase their understanding of the problem by learning the desired and intended actions of others. (160)
