SUSTAINING COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING - STRATEGIES FROM A STUDY IN6 ASIAN COUNTRIES

This paper presents findings from seven case studies of collaborative problem solving. The cases represent models of large-scale collaborati ve effort to improve the social, economic or health status of resident s in poor communities. In these examples a variety of organizations wo rked together: government, business, voluntary agencies, community gro ups and people's organizations. A range of strategies was evident as t hese entities tried to sustain their collaboration. Strategies identif ied included those deployed collectively, those used by an individual organization to maintain its ability to participate and those used to persuade or pressure needed collaborators to become involved or stay t he course. Specific strategies employed and descriptions of their use are presented and comprise a compelling profile of how collaborative p roblem solving functions.