Facilitating Inclusion: The Role of Facilitation Styles in Group Model Building and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Participatory Municipal Decision-Making
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2025-06-27
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en
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This thesis analyzed the impact of facilitation styles on group dynamics and discussion flow in participatory municipal decision-making processes with special reference to Group Model Building (GMB) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). However, despite their growing use, little is known about how specific facilitation styles influence group interaction and discussion flow in these methods, leaving a theoretical gap in understanding the mechanisms through which facilitation shapes inclusive decision-making. On the basis of qualitative data gathered from facilitated sessions in two Nijmegen neighborhoods, this research defines five primary facilitation styles: directive, facilitative, consensus-building, structured, and power-sensitive, and discusses the impact on group interaction and discussion flow. The findings demonstrate that effective facilitation is adaptive, context-sensitive, and instrumental in developing inclusion and fruitful dialogue. Structured and directive styles contribute to clarity and process order, whereas facilitative and power-sensitive styles engage openness and balance. A sequence pattern; structured opening, facilitative questioning, directive summarizing, and consensus confirmation, recurred throughout sessions. Variations in participant engagement also influenced which styles were effective. This research emphasizes the value of dynamic facilitation skills in enabling inclusive governance and offers practical recommendations for local governments to improve participatory practice through expert facilitator training and effective session design
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen