Images of Partnership:Images of Partnership:

Metaphor and Mindfulness in Metaphor and Mindfulness in Interorganizational CollaborationInterorganizational Collaboration

David J. SiegelDavid J. Siegel

East Carolina University, USAEast Carolina University, USA

OutlineOutline

Ways of viewing metaphorWays of viewing metaphor

Metaphor in organizational analysisMetaphor in organizational analysis

Metaphor in Metaphor in interinterorganizational collaborationorganizational collaboration

Brief background on study of LEADBrief background on study of LEAD

Three images of partnershipThree images of partnership

Concluding PropositionsConcluding Propositions

Ways of Viewing MetaphorWays of Viewing Metaphor

Species of figurative language: decorative, Species of figurative language: decorative, poetic, “linguistic seasoning”poetic, “linguistic seasoning”

Central to our perception and experience: “Our Central to our perception and experience: “Our ordinary conceptual system, in terms of which ordinary conceptual system, in terms of which we both think and act, is fundamentally we both think and act, is fundamentally metaphorical in nature”metaphorical in nature”

Metaphors in Organizational Metaphors in Organizational AnalysisAnalysis

Contain descriptive power (machines, organisms, instruments of domination, garbage cans, jazz ensembles, athletic teams, theatres, savage tribes, space stations, octopoids)

Promote new ways of seeing (mindfulness)

Help to construct reality (shape practice)

Rehabilitate “tired” concepts

Metaphorical Thinking in Metaphorical Thinking in Interorganizational CollaborationInterorganizational Collaboration

Illustrates character/dynamics of collaboration more precisely

Allows us to “see” developmental phases

Facilitates learning

Develops social trust, mutual understanding, and routine

Solidifies group relations, improves performance

Background of the StudyBackground of the Study

LEAD Program in Business is a cross-sector, interorganizational LEAD Program in Business is a cross-sector, interorganizational partnership to build a pipeline of diversity into higher education and partnership to build a pipeline of diversity into higher education and business business

Lumina Foundation for Education funded study of partnership Lumina Foundation for Education funded study of partnership dynamicsdynamics

Semi-structured interviews with 77 informants across sectorsSemi-structured interviews with 77 informants across sectors

Three central metaphors emerged: (1) Pipeline, (2) Venn Diagram, Three central metaphors emerged: (1) Pipeline, (2) Venn Diagram, and (3) Triple Helixand (3) Triple Helix

Naming of metaphors was a co-creation (emic and etic approach) Naming of metaphors was a co-creation (emic and etic approach)

The Pipeline MetaphorThe Pipeline Metaphor

Qualities Qualities CapturedCaptured

Operational Operational Objectives Objectives

Implied Implied

Value Value Proposition Proposition ReferencedReferenced

Roots or Roots or SurrogatesSurrogates

Fit and flowFit and flow Optimal Optimal assembly and assembly and coordination of coordination of differentiated differentiated roles in order to roles in order to complete tasks complete tasks

Delivery of Delivery of value to ultimate value to ultimate beneficiaries beneficiaries

Supply chain, Supply chain, pools pools

The Venn Diagram MetaphorThe Venn Diagram Metaphor

Qualities Qualities CapturedCaptured

Operational Operational Objectives Objectives

Implied Implied

Value Value Proposition Proposition ReferencedReferenced

Roots or Roots or SurrogatesSurrogates

Scope or area Scope or area of overlapping of overlapping interest interest

Maintenance Maintenance and/or and/or expansion of expansion of common common interestsinterests

Sensitivity to Sensitivity to interests of interests of partners, both in partners, both in the context of the context of partnership and partnership and outside of itoutside of it

Overlap, Overlap, interlockinterlock

The Triple Helix MetaphorThe Triple Helix Metaphor

Qualities Qualities CapturedCaptured

Operational Operational Objectives Objectives

Implied Implied

Value Value Proposition Proposition ReferencedReferenced

Roots or Roots or SurrogatesSurrogates

Connectedness Connectedness Shared sense of Shared sense of strategic strategic purpose or purpose or philosophical philosophical approach to approach to social problem social problem solving; solving; frequency or frequency or intensity of intensity of connectionsconnections

Perception of Perception of interdependence interdependence and tightness of and tightness of partnership; partnership; signaling signaling solidarity to solidarity to external external audiencesaudiences

Threads, Threads, helices, helices, interweavinginterweaving

PropositionsPropositions

Proposition 1:Proposition 1: Metaphors may be used in interorganizational alliances to develop Metaphors may be used in interorganizational alliances to develop social trust, solidify group relations, indicate shared understandings, and improve social trust, solidify group relations, indicate shared understandings, and improve partnership performance.partnership performance.

Proposition 2:Proposition 2: Metaphor usage in a cross-sector, interorganizational alliance may Metaphor usage in a cross-sector, interorganizational alliance may reference particular combinations of relationships, specific functions, and elements of reference particular combinations of relationships, specific functions, and elements of timing.timing.

Proposition 3:Proposition 3: Pipeline metaphors may be used as a diagnostic, investigative, or Pipeline metaphors may be used as a diagnostic, investigative, or interpretive tool to access member perceptions of task coordination and sequencing, interpretive tool to access member perceptions of task coordination and sequencing, role differentiation, and overall fit.role differentiation, and overall fit.

Proposition 4:Proposition 4: The Venn diagram metaphor may be used to describe the scope of The Venn diagram metaphor may be used to describe the scope of partnership by referring to specific combinations of relationships, what is shared by partnership by referring to specific combinations of relationships, what is shared by members, and the perceived degree of sensitivity to issues outside of the partnership.members, and the perceived degree of sensitivity to issues outside of the partnership.

Proposition 5:Proposition 5: The metaphor of the triple helix may be used to indicate the degree The metaphor of the triple helix may be used to indicate the degree of connectedness and interdependence in a partnership, with special reference to a of connectedness and interdependence in a partnership, with special reference to a shared sense of strategic purpose, a shared philosophy of social engagement, or shared sense of strategic purpose, a shared philosophy of social engagement, or operational coordination.operational coordination.

Contact InformationContact Information

David J. Siegel, Ph.D.David J. Siegel, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorAssociate Professor

Dept. of Educational LeadershipDept. of Educational LeadershipEast Carolina UniversityEast Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27858Greenville, NC 27858

siegeld@ecu.edusiegeld@ecu.edu