I was recently working on a manuscript of mine that is focused on collaboration between natural resource organizations and home owner’s associations (HOAs), and I realized that this was a great example of the role social science tools can play in collaborative efforts.
In Phoenix, AZ, where we were working, private properties (like those managed by HOAs) near natural areas can be sources of invasive plants, several of which increase fire danger. In fact, one of the invasive grasses there burns at over 1,400o F and can have flames over 25 feet tall. Since the Sonoran Desert is not fire-adapted, wildfires are extra concerning.
We wanted to partner with HOAs to remove invasive grasses from their properties for both safety and to support invasive plant management in the nearby desert preserves. Our initial attempts to do so didn’t pan out as we had hoped. There wasn’t much HOA participation and we couldn’t tell why.
So, we decided to back up to basics, and this is the piece that I think will resonate with a lot of you – the foundation of a collaborative effort needs to be built on trust and shared goals. The social science tools that we used helped us understand the perspectives and priorities of HOAs, essential information for finding common ground.
Amidst the universe of social science knowledge, methodologies, and theories– I focused on three of my favorites.
- Semi-structured interviews – Where there is capacity to talk to people, I much prefer interviews over surveys. Interviews can be a window into ideas that you might not have been expecting. For new partners, this is really important, because you want to learn where they are coming from and what challenges they have.
- Phenomenology – This philosophy guides me to focus on people’s experiences, their values, and perspectives, rather than my own assumptions. It also reminds me that my experience influences the way I interpret data. For collaboration, I find that this can open your mind and help build trust, while also honoring your own experience.
- Social exchange theory – I find this theory particularly helpful in collaboration, because we are engaging with people for an exchange of value. There are many values that people can get out of working together, and it is important to understand what those values might be – both for yourself and for your partners.
Our work applying these tools to the HOA partnerships found that we shared some key goals (e.g. community safety), and that for those distinct goals (e.g. aesthetics and property values), there were ways to integrate our objectives. We also found that the resources they had to manage invasive species on their property could be very effective for collaborative efforts.
Lastly, the interviews were a great way to meet folks who were working for HOAs, and they were the start of a relationship with novel partners, whose goals and perspectives we now understood better.
– Aireona Raschke, Phd
This is a part of our ongoing “Notes from the Field” series. Here, our Associate Director of Practice, Aireona, takes short explorations of the CCC’s projects, on-the-ground engagement, research, and what we are learning along the way!
Keep up with this series by subscribing to our monthly CCC newsletter!
