MODULE 2b

Any cooperation or collaboration, irrespective of the field, cannot be effective unless there is a willingness on the part of the actors to negotiate agreements that link them voluntarily to search for a shared solution.

To understand how the actors of a cooperation system are related, many specialists and researchers are based on social constructivism: through their interactions, the actors of the cooperation system give meaning to their perceptions, impressions, experiences and personal preferences which determines its openness to sharing resources.

In this sense, it is necessary to promote from the beginning changes in the perceptions, rules and values ​​of the actors with respect to the cooperation system itself and to the other actors, through the promotion of initial behavior favorable to cooperation, and the strengthening of trust between actors.

At the beginning of the cooperation, the actors will share the need to improve the situation they want to intervene, and many exchanges will revolve around what can be done, but behind the scenes there will be a high degree of uncertainty and distrust about the results, the risks and benefits of cooperation, and the behavior of others.

In this module we will present those factors that can generate uncertainty and instability in a collaborative initiative, proposing aspects that work to guarantee the success of the collaboration agreements.

1. Early Stages of cooperation

It is important to bear in mind that in this initial phase of cooperation, the productivity of the cooperation system must be demonstrated, first of all for the members of the system. Regarding this point, there are three situations at the beginning that should be avoided:

  • "The entanglement": The lack of definitions can strain and exhaust the energy of the actors that promote cooperation. It is necessary to rapidly develop a common, global and shared vision of what unites the cooperation system and how work is organized together.
  • "The smoke cloud": The lack of conduction in meetings can result in a tangle of good intentions and wanting to do everything, what prevents visualizing a tangible and short-term product of cooperation.
  • "Nothing happens": It is necessary to ensure that at least one actor of the system commits to guarantee the constant dynamization of the communication among cooperation actors, and documents the progress and learning to use them actively and constantly in meetings of the system.

 

Many of the problems derived from working with partners during a cooperation could be avoided in the process of selecting partners.  Some of difficulties which might arise, which should be considered include:

In this first phase, and at least during the negotiation of the structure of cooperation, it can be very useful for the cooperation system to be advised by an external entity that assumes communication and management functions, instead of giving that role to an entity of the system and generate imbalances of power in a delicate moment of agreement.

In any case, the most necessary capacities for this coordination function are:

The probability of success will increase if the protagonists in the initial phase also demonstrate a constructive behavior that fosters the consolidation of the cooperation system, characterized by:

 

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SELF-ASSESMENT

This questionnaire will allow you to evaluate the competences acquired by studying the module.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
CO-FARM: Enhancing COoperation amongst FARMing entrepreneurs
Project Number: 2016-1-IE01-KA202-016870

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