Ambiguity among Partners: Understanding Power and Perception Under Conditions of Mutuality

Author(s)Islett, Kimberley R.
Author(s)Bryan, Tara K.
Author(s)St Clair-Sims, Rebekah L.
Date Accessioned2022-11-11T16:29:29Z
Date Available2022-11-11T16:29:29Z
Publication Date2022-10-05
DescriptionThis is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Perspectives on Public Management and Governance following peer review. The version of record Kimberley R Isett, Tara K Bryan, Rebekah L St Clair-Sims, Ambiguity among Partners: Understanding Power and Perception Under Conditions of Mutuality, Perspectives on Public Management and Governance, 2022;, gvac019, https://doi.org/10.1093/ppmgov/gvac019 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ppmgov/gvac019. This article will be embargoed until 10/05/2024.en_US
AbstractPower is a construct that is relevant anytime two actors come together. Typically power examinations have been focused on assessments among actors with asymmetrical power profiles. We argue existing characterizations of power are insufficient to understand perceptions of relationship quality when partners have a more balanced power profile. This is the case with an important class of partnerships—those between governments and philanthropic Foundations. We assessed power mutuality and its effects on relationship quality with a mixed methods approach, relying heavily on fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis techniques and interview data. Our findings point to new insights into those power relationships typically examined in the extant literature, those with asymmetry, as well as under condition of mutuality. With regard to asymmetrical power, we point to needed investigation into the role of intangible resources, such as knowledge and legitimacy, to achieve goals, rather than the predominant focus on financial and other tangible resources. With regard to conditions of mutuality, we illustrate that mutuality yields relational ambiguity in the relationship and results in partner tension. Furthermore, our study finds that under conditions of mutuality, resource contributions from the benefactor need to address instrumental organizational needs, not just needs that contribute to mission outcomes.en_US
SponsorThe initial project was funded through the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change initiative. This analysis was a secondary analysis of the original data and was not part of the initial project.en_US
CitationKimberley R Isett, Tara K Bryan, Rebekah L St Clair-Sims, Ambiguity among Partners: Understanding Power and Perception Under Conditions of Mutuality, Perspectives on Public Management and Governance, 2022;, gvac019, https://doi.org/10.1093/ppmgov/gvac019en_US
ISSN2398-4929
URLhttps://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/31587
Languageen_USen_US
PublisherPerspectives on Public Management and Governanceen_US
TitleAmbiguity among Partners: Understanding Power and Perception Under Conditions of Mutualityen_US
TypeArticleen_US
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