Collaboration in an organisational context, takes place at different levels -amongst peers, functions, divisions etc. At the corporate level, collaborating with another company is a very effective way to build, and grow your business, particularly in challenging economic times.
Collaboration in business can be found both inter- and intra-organization and ranges from the simplicity of a partnership and crowd funding to the complexity of a multinational corporation. Collaboration between team members allows for better communication within the organization. It is a way of coordinating different ideas from numerous people to generate a wide variety of knowledge. The recent improvement in technology has provided the world with high speed internet, wireless connection, and web-based collaboration tools like blogs, and wikis, and has as such created a "mass collaboration." People from all over the world are efficiently able to communicate and share ideas through the internet, or even conferences, without any geographical barriers.
Thus, in day to day life, and especially in the organizational Context, collaboration amongst the constituents of the organization is very much desired. Having looked at the relevance of Collaboration, we move on the Conceptual Framework.
Having given a basic introduction of the word "Collaboration", it would be pertinent to give a working definition of the word, i.e. how I perceive Collaboration. Obviously, this entire study would be based upon this definition, and work upon the characteristics mentioned herein.
Working Definition:
Collaboration is the process of interaction of purpose and efforts of two or more persons or group of persons (including organizations), wherein common effort is directed towards a common purpose. Collaboration is not to be understood as dependence. Rather, it is a process of synergy, and in Collaboration, the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts.
Conceptual Framework
There are often conflicting goals in product development. Therefore decision-making must be based on a collaborative approach. This is shown with the following model."
Source: - Kenneth Crow - Collaboration in Product Development, DRM Associateshttp://www.npd-solutions.com/collaboration.gif
Review of Literature
The following are some of the relevant and popular books in the field of Collaboration, and although I cannot claim to have to have extensively perused them, these have definitely broadened my understanding of the term 'Collaboration'.
How to Make Collaboration Work: Powerful Ways to Build Consensus, Solve Problems, and Make Decisions - David Straus
Collaboration is something that is required in all aspects of life, and all the time. However, it so happens that many of us find the whole process cumbersome and frustrating, and end up working alone. 'How to Make Collaboration Work' provides a remedy: the five principles of collaboration that have been tested and refined in organizations throughout the world. Author David Straus shows that these methods can help any group make better decisions and function more effectively. The five principles are:
Involve the Relevant Stakeholders,
Build Consensus Phase by Phase,
Design a Process Map,
Designate a Process Facilitator, and
Harness the Power of Group Memory.
Each principle addresses the specific challenges people face when trying to work collaboratively, and each can be applied to any problem-solving scenario.
Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration, Warren G. Bennis:
In a shrinking world of technological and political complexity, cooperation and collaboration are now becoming the order of the day. Most urgent projects require the coordinated contributions of many talented people.
"Organizing Genius" by Warren Bennis presents insights on how and why a few groups rise to greatness, as a way of showing how to transform today's workplaces into Great Groups of collaboration and productivity. It presents 7 examples of Great Groups - Walt Disney, Xerox's Palo Alto Research Centre (PARC), Apple, the 1992 Clinton campaign, Lockheed's Skunk Works, Black Mountain College, and the Manhattan Project, which invented the atomic bomb in World War II.
Collaboration: How leaders avoid the traps, create unity, and reap big results
By Morten T. Hansen
"…it provides clear recommendations for how to master the challenges leaders face today and make disciplined collaboration a powerful means to improve productivity. It's an excellent example of how management research can lead to significant business value"
The reasoned approach posited in this book debunks all talk across the business media about 'collaboration'. Hansen discusses how many ill conceived efforts at business collaborative synergy backfire spectacularly - wasting money, resources and time. Bad collaboration is worse than no collaboration…while well thought through 'disciplined collaboration' will reap big results within the known parameters Hansen proposes.
Collaboration : Using Networking and Partnerships, by John M. Kamensky, Thomas J. Burlin
The first part of this book describes what networks and partnerships are. The second part presents case examples of how collaborative approaches have actually worked in the public sector, when they should be used, and what it takes to manage and coordinate them.
Organization Behaviour 13th Edition, Stephen P Robbins, and others.
The course book was referred from time to time to get basic insights as to how a scientific research is carried out.
Apart from the above, various other sources, predominantly on the Internet have been made use of in this study.
In the context of Collaboration, one of the most widely cited and used concept is that of the Prisoner's Dilemma.
Source: - Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 2006 ©.http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JTd2KOgmF9A/SpSic-CSV5I/AAAAAAAAAhg/GMDpNzvjdL4/s400/prisoners_dilemma_2.gif
Thus, the Prisoners' Dilemma depicts how, even though it is in the best interests of both parties) to Collaborate, they end up competing, because of the Incentive to 'cheat'. Following are some of the real (and larger than) life examples of the Prisoners' Dilemma:
Competitive Market Behaviour of a Duopoly. The best example in this context would be Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Both firms could earn greatest profits, by charging higher prices each. However, the gains to be had by 'cheating' on the other, and the heavy penalty that is inflicted when the other 'cheats' ends up ensuring that both get into a mutually destructive price war.
The Arms Race of the Cold War era between USA and USSR also presents a vivid example of Prisoners' Dilemma. Here too, the same logic given above led to a massive build-up of nuclear inventory, so much so that the world talked about MAD i.e. Mutually Assured destruction!
Empirical Study and Generalization:
Empirical Study 1:
Data Collection method employed: Questionnaire
Questionnaire Type: Scaled, Likert 8 Scale
Untitled.pngUntitled.pngUntitled.pngUntitled.pngUntitled.pngUntitled.pngTop of Form
Bottom of Form
Source: www.e-trainme.com (For Standard Questonnaire)
Tabulated Response Sheet
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Analysis: The above analysis is based on the average score calculated for the sample tested. The exact Methodology has been mentioned below. This analysis has been given by www.e-trainme.com, and has been suitably modified/edited.
The overall profile shows that you are normally very co-operative. The above statement is based on the following findings:
You are rarely abrupt when dealing with others.
Because you make an effort to forgive to some extent, you do not generally hold grudges, you may, however, hold grudges, or even adopt a victim mentality, on some occasions.
Because you trust people, at least to some degree, your life is better in many ways: in communication, relationships and in personal well-being.
You see to some degree the good in others and make the effort to find it.
Because you are very cooperative, you therefore gain the benefits of working with others when appropriate.
Because you are normally loyal to every purpose you undertake, you may find that you usually attain your life goals.
You experience quality in all or most human relationships.
Fortunately, you rarely reject other people's ideas out of hand (immediately, without consideration).
You believe in working with others on common tasks.
You support what you believe is good for everyone.
You do not feel you are isolated person.
In your work, you do not always build communication barriers
Methodology:
The sample selected here consists of Students of XLRI BM- Batch of 2010-12. The Standard Questionnaire was sent to them through mail, and subsequently 31 of these entries (total response sheets received) were analysed. Now, the objective of this study is to determine the total Collaboration/Co-operation Quotient of this sample, and hence, the results of the questionnaire were tabulated, aggregated and worked upon for averages. Also, all decimal values have been rounded off to the highest integer.
Empirical Study 2:
Having analyzed the responses of the target sample to a sample questionnaire, we proceed to study their responses to a situation known as 'The Students' Dilemma'. The Classic Prisoners' Dilemma has been suitably modified to make it relevant for the sample here i.e. Students of the BM programme, XLRI - Batch of 2010-2012. Here's the problem:
The Students' Dilemma!
Imagine yourself doing an Individual Assignment, say for Marketing or OB for that Matter. Now, as it happens, you and your friend have essentially submitted the same assignment, after slight 'Re-packaging'. Unfortunately, Professor Joi Mohan discovers this, and summons both of you to his room. Both of you are kept in adjacent rooms, and have no means to communicate with each other. You have two simple choices:
1. Confess to the 'crime'.
2. Feign Innocence.
Now, the catch is:
1. If both of you confess, you get a -25(the project being evaluated is out of 50) each.
2. If one of you confesses, and the other doesn't, the confessor is let off with a reprimand, and the latter is summarily EXPELLED from the institute.
3. If both of you remain silent, the professor 'lets-off' both of you with a -5 each.
The Decision Matrix has been given below.
Students' Dilemma
Confess (You)
Stay Quiet (You)
Confess (Friend)
-25 each
You- Expelled, Friend- Let off.
Stay Quiet (Friend)
You- Let off, Friend- Expelled.
-5 each.
Again, note that you have no way of knowing what the other person is going to do. Kindly reply whether you will:
CONFESS OR REMAIN SILENT!
Results of Empirical Study 2:
No. Of Respondents 31
Confess 19
Remain Silent 12
Analysis:
The analysis of the findings of Empirical Study 1 clearly pointed out that the average Co-operation Quotient of the sample, was quite high as a whole, and hence it was inferred that the sample exhibited high collaboration willingness. However, there are two fundamental flaws of the methodology employed therein. Firstly, given the questionnaire method of study, personal biases come into play, i.e. people tend to give themselves the benefit of doubt, or even overrate themselves.
Hence, another empirical study, with the same sample was employed. However, the context here was different - a variation of the classic Prisoners' Dilemma, i.e. The Students; Dilemma. Quite in contrast to the first study, the findings here show that majority of students would confess to the plagiarism, even though the returns from collaboration are much higher. The reasons for this are twofold:
One, the two students have no means of communicating with each other, and
The potential risk by staying silent (and the other student confesses) is prohibitive, in this case, Expulsion.
Contribution to the field of OB:
The above study presents us with the reason as to why there is a lack of active collaboration, both within and amongst organizations, despite the obvious advantages and the glaring need for it. As in the Students' Dilemma above, more often than not, Communication barriers are the greatest hindrance to effective Collaboration. Hence, in the context of collaboration, both at the individual, and at the organizational level, efforts have to be made to overcome these communication barriers.
Thus, future work in identification and removal of these barriers would go a long way in enhancing collaboration amongst individuals, within and outside an organizational setting. As it has been oft repeated in this study, in today's complex and competitive business scenario, collaboration is the way forward. Thus, by providing insights into why collaboration does not occur, this study contributes in its own small way, to the field of OB.
Future Work:
Based on the findings of this study, future study could be based on the following areas:
Identification and Elimination of Barriers to Communication,
Finding out of other reasons that hinder Collaboration,
Key problems faced in Inter personal Collaboration,
Risks of 'Over-Collaboration', i.e. Too much dependence on collaboration.
CITATION AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
References:
[1] Aileen Gorman, 'The Power of Collaboration - Boston Business Journal'.
[2] Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaboration.
[3] Crow, Kenneth (2002) Collaboration, DRM Associates - from http://www.npd-solutions.com/collaboration.html.
[4] Dixit, Avinash, and Barry Nalebuff- Prisoners' Dilemma, Concise Encyclopaedia of Economics, from - http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc1/PrisonersDilemma.html.
[5] www.e-trainme.com - Questionnaire 4 - Standard Questionnaire and Analysis.
[6] Garner, Eric - www.Managetrainlearn.com.
