2. Decision-making processes
> 5 key aspects of Governance
This page has been written based on a research work on Governance conducted by IAAC team within the CENTRINNO EU research project.
In any collaborative network, decisions will be made by the different stakeholders and institutions involved. Decisions may be reached through consensus, following a discussion process, voting, applying a majority-rule, or unidirectionally. Each of these methods have pros and cons and it is important to understand the consequences of each.
Process outcomes versus quick decisions
A discussion that seeks understanding and consensus may be effort and time consuming. Nevertheless, processes have process outcomes. According to Patsy Healey (2006) concepts such as what is ‘good’ or ‘just’ are themselves constructed through relations of knowledge and power.
Processes of articulating values and the manner in which these might become embedded in established discourses and practices are relevant. Similarly to Emotion Networking discussions, some decision-making processes may require participants’ views to better align, or at least be recognised and better understood between each other.
It will be important for each pilot city team to reflect on which decisions around the implementation or the operation of the FCH include such opportunities to also allow partners to come closer and understand each other’s views and values, and which decisions are more operative and may be reached through different means. For the former, patient and discussed processes may achieve unforeseen process outcomes.
Key aspects that affect decision-making processes
→ Online vs onsite: Whereas discussion and negotiation may be difficult to have online, online means are useful to gather inputs.
→ Open-door versus mini-publics: For some decisions, it may be better to discuss with core partners, whereas others may need to be open for public discussion and participation.
→ Hot versus cold deliberation: Who should we invite to the table? It may be good to have engaged actors in the topic, but for some decisions, an external view may be more useful.
→ Decision-making versus consultation: How much power is granted to each of the deliberations and discussions?
Luigi Bobbio (2018) reflects and expands on each of these aspects, and provide examples of their consequences in different processes of public participation and decision making.
There are also several tools aimed at facilitating and informing decision-making processes, including:
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