Collective Learning and Institutional Collective Action in Fragmented Governance

Abstract

Institutional collective action (ICA) dilemmas, or situations where authorities’ particularistic incentives are misaligned with collective interests, are ubiquitous where authority is fragmented among multiple or overlapping governments. Extant researchers have examined how policymakers overcome ICA dilemmas and promote collective action through institutions and relationships that lower collaboration uncertainty and risk. Yet, one factor conspicuously overlooked in this process is the role of collective learning or the degree to which institutions acquire, assimilate, and apply shared knowledge to achieve collaborative aims. In this chapter, we inquire how collective learning relates to governments’ ability to overcome ICA dilemmas and improve collaborative governance through three pathways, and put forward propositions as to how such learning can reduce ICA barriers and enhance future collaboration.