Collaborative dynamics and shared motivation: exploring tobacco control policy development in Zambia

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• Health Governance
• Social Science Research

Background:

• Zambia's tobacco control policy development has stalled for over a decade.
• Limited research exists on the dynamics influencing tobacco policy outcomes in Zambia.
• Understanding stakeholder collaboration is crucial for effective policy advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how collaborative dynamics in tobacco policy development influenced shared motivation among Zambian stakeholders.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to collaborative governance in tobacco control policy formulation.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study design utilizing a collaborative governance framework.
• In-depth analysis of tobacco control policy working group meetings and stakeholder interactions.
• Thematic analysis of data from 27 key informants.

Main Results:

• Thwarted mutual trust due to loyalties, fear of bans, silo mentality, and lack of dialogue.
• Hindered mutual understanding from limited information sharing and lack of local evidence.
• Impeded internal legitimacy from lack of authority and policy contextualization.
• Shaped shared commitment by acknowledging multisectoral needs but facing political will and funding gaps.

Conclusions:

• Accelerating tobacco control policy in Zambia requires strategies enhancing shared motivation.
• Fostering open discourse, respectful interactions, and collaborative information sharing is essential.
• Addressing unequal power relations and ensuring contextualized policy are critical for effective tobacco control actions.