relational mechanisms. The reason being that in individualistic societies, people and
organisations tend to be more rational in their dealings and comfortable with
performance and incentive systems that are contract-based, for instance. Conversely,
members of collectivist societies are more strongly driven by social factors and
values such as seeking long-term relationships, trust and harmony, all of which are
compatible with relational governance. In a similar vein, in cultures where people
and organisations are more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, innovation
partners are likely to favour relational governance mechanisms, whereas in uncertainty avoidance cultures, characterised by a desire for discipline and clear rules,
organisations would feel comfortable with structural governance mechanisms
[64, 65].
3.4 Focus of the Study
Drawing on the concepts and theories discussed in this section (and in Sect. 2), we
propose to focus the analysis of ICT-WIPs on the following three sets of variables:
(1) characteristics of ICT-WIPs, (2) resources exchange during the execution of
partnerships, and (3) ICT-WIPs governance mechanisms. These variables represent
three important areas that are critical for understanding the dynamics of innovation
partnerships that aim at fostering ICT-enabled water systems in developing countries. This understanding is a prerequisite for successfully setting up and managing
these partnerships. Figure 1 schematically represents the focus areas of our analysis.
4 Methodology
4.1 Selection of Cases
The research reported in this chapter focused on ICT-WIPs implemented in Africa
within the framework of VIA Water, a programme supporting innovative projects for
water problems facing cities in Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda,
South Sudan, Senegal and Ethiopia. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, VIA Water was hosted (until December 2017) by the IHE Delft Institute
for Water Education and its fund managed by Aqua for All – both based in the
Netherlands. From January 2018 both VIA Water secretariat and fund are managed
by Aqua for All. In addition to seed capital investment, VIA Water provides other
support services (such as coaching, training and networking) to the innovation
partnership members. The programme focuses on 12 strategic innovation areas, the
so-called pressing water needs: drinking water, sanitation, water in urban agriculture,
water harvesting, groundwater, water quality, data, institutional strengthening,
water allocation, financial arrangements, urban planning and floods and droughts.
176
S. Mvulirwenande and U. Wehn
organisations tend to be more rational in their dealings and comfortable with
performance and incentive systems that are contract-based, for instance. Conversely,
members of collectivist societies are more strongly driven by social factors and
values such as seeking long-term relationships, trust and harmony, all of which are
compatible with relational governance. In a similar vein, in cultures where people
and organisations are more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, innovation
partners are likely to favour relational governance mechanisms, whereas in uncertainty avoidance cultures, characterised by a desire for discipline and clear rules,
organisations would feel comfortable with structural governance mechanisms
[64, 65].
3.4 Focus of the Study
Drawing on the concepts and theories discussed in this section (and in Sect. 2), we
propose to focus the analysis of ICT-WIPs on the following three sets of variables:
(1) characteristics of ICT-WIPs, (2) resources exchange during the execution of
partnerships, and (3) ICT-WIPs governance mechanisms. These variables represent
three important areas that are critical for understanding the dynamics of innovation
partnerships that aim at fostering ICT-enabled water systems in developing countries. This understanding is a prerequisite for successfully setting up and managing
these partnerships. Figure 1 schematically represents the focus areas of our analysis.
4 Methodology
4.1 Selection of Cases
The research reported in this chapter focused on ICT-WIPs implemented in Africa
within the framework of VIA Water, a programme supporting innovative projects for
water problems facing cities in Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda,
South Sudan, Senegal and Ethiopia. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, VIA Water was hosted (until December 2017) by the IHE Delft Institute
for Water Education and its fund managed by Aqua for All – both based in the
Netherlands. From January 2018 both VIA Water secretariat and fund are managed
by Aqua for All. In addition to seed capital investment, VIA Water provides other
support services (such as coaching, training and networking) to the innovation
partnership members. The programme focuses on 12 strategic innovation areas, the
so-called pressing water needs: drinking water, sanitation, water in urban agriculture,
water harvesting, groundwater, water quality, data, institutional strengthening,
water allocation, financial arrangements, urban planning and floods and droughts.
176
S. Mvulirwenande and U. Wehn