Comparing Structured and Unstructured Facilitation Approaches in Consultation Workshops: A Field Experiment

Jordi Honey-Rosés (), Mitzy Canessa, Sarah Daitch, Bruno Gomes, Javier Muñoz-Blanco García, André Xavier and Oscar Zapata
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Jordi Honey-Rosés: University of British Columbia
Mitzy Canessa: Grupo de Dialogo Latinoamericano
Sarah Daitch: Daitch and Associates
Bruno Gomes: Grupo de Dialogo Latinoamericano
Javier Muñoz-Blanco García: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
André Xavier: University of British Columbia

Group Decision and Negotiation, 2020, vol. 29, issue 5, No 7, 949-967

Abstract: Abstract Facilitators must make important decisions when preparing for consultation workshops. One critical choice pertains to how much structure should be incorporated in a workshop and imposed on group discussions. Highly structured consultations may ensure efficiency and help produce specific outputs. However, too much structure may limit group discussion, creativity, or be ill received by participants. To examine the impacts of structure in a workshop consultation, we conducted a field experiment that compares structured and unstructured facilitation approaches in a workshop on participatory environmental monitoring. We randomized participants (n = 34) into two parallel sessions where they completed the same tasks of idea generation and prioritization but with contrasting facilitation approaches. We collected pre and post surveys to compare satisfaction between groups across a range of variables. We find that structured facilitation with small group discussions provide a modest yet consistent improvement over the unstructured facilitation approach. We also find that women and men had very different perceptions about the level of women’s participation in the session. Experimental research designs are feasible for learning about facilitation methods and testing best practices in public participation and consultations.

Keywords: Consultation; Facilitation; Experiment; Field experiment; Public engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s10726-020-09688-w

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