Exploring contextual influences in collaboration: A sensemaking perspective

Abstract Almost all existing models explaining collaborative actions focus on the interactive dynamics among collaborators. While these dynamics are thought to be influenced by external contextual forces, there is little theory or empirical work documenting this relationship. Employing a unique and comprehensive database of 890 contextual tensions, we adopt a sensemaking approach to explore the role of a fast‐evolving and ambiguous collaborative context in collaborative governance. We find that heightened sociopolitical controversies were “weaponized” by certain stakeholder groups to influence collaboration through forming and intensifying a political narrative, and this narrative was aided by the convenient adoption of evolving economic and financial circumstances as “ammunition.” These strategic choices, combined, produced a significant evolving context for the collaboration to adapt. These insights highlight the theoretical significance of contextual forces in intergovernmental collaborative governance and call for policymakers' attention to contextual uncertainties.