Mutual Understanding and Shared Meaning
Mutual understanding and shared meaning are key notions in the Social Theory (ST). Unfortunately, they are also confusing notions because understanding and meaning are closely related and often regarded as synonyms. A precise meaning (or understanding for that matter) can be given in the realm of the PQR formula and EMont.
The goal of gaining mutual understanding in a Social Innovation (SI) process is to recognize and acknowledge stakeholders' worldviews in order to create room for movement. A stakeholder's worldview can be captured with the PQR formula in terms of what and why (P-R, reason of being), and how (Q's, particular ways of doing things). The PQR formula, possibly augmented with core beliefs, explicates a worldview so the stakeholders can comprehend it, and vice versa.
Recognizing and acknowledging a particular worldview, however, is not the same as attaching the same meaning or importance to it. Almost by definition, worldviews will clash in wicked problems. A SI process to establish mutual understanding opens the door to understanding the positions stakeholders are taken, which might lead to common grounds in the sense of shared meaning. That is, the SI process helps to find shared meaning, but it cannot in itself guarantee that a shared meaning is established. As a bare minimum, stakeholders can agree to disagree by realizing that they need each other in order to make progress.
It is important to note that the overarching P-system and R-system are notional constructs that do not necessarily exist in any tangible form by the stakeholders. It can be seen as an unspoken pact shared by all stakeholders. In case of shared meaning is found, it can be explicated by defining the overarching P-system and R-system as the reason of being of the system. Somehow the P's and R's of individual stakeholders (in this figure a and b) should be traceable to the overall P-system and R-system.
If stakeholders see the benefit of having a common ground, i.e., a shared meaning, they can actively facilitate each other in such a way that the sum of the whole is greater than the parts (1 + 1 > 2). It might case that some stakeholders have to change their practices (see the section on Exploring Change). This can also lead to emerging properties in the whole. That is, conditions (indicators) can be associated with R-system that are measures of some properties that cannot be traced back tot properties of individuals.
One step further is to make P-system and R-system tangible entities by including them in a governance structure that steers, monitors and adapt the behavior of individual stakeholders by setting the right conditions. This can take all kind of forms, for instance, by establishing rules of conduct or installing more regulative procedures to grant or revoke rights and financial means.
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