Actor engagement roles in collaborative settings: a theoretical framework and empirical typology

Purpose Despite the recognized importance of actor engagement in collaborative settings, little is known about actors' engagement practices and their influence on collaboration. This paper seeks to conceptualize actor engagement roles, reflecting actors' investment of resources. Moreover, it aims to identify engagement roles in an empirical context and examine their mutual influence, shedding light on the induced engagement dynamics. Design/methodology/approach This research draws on actor engagement as the domain theory and role theory as the method theory. Grounded in the actor engagement literature, we conceptualize actor engagement roles, using this framework as a sensitizing device for the empirical investigation. The qualitative study comprises 32 semi-structured interviews with students participating in collaborative seminars, with data analysed using the Gioia method. Findings The first finding is a theoretically derived framework for actor engagement roles. The second finding is a typology and constellation empirically derived within the specific collaborative setting, comprising eight actor engagement roles grouped into three overarching categories. By conceptualizing connectedness as the influence of engagement practices between the focal actor and others, we identify key engagement dynamics within the collaboration. Originality/value This research addresses the gap in the unified understanding of actor engagement roles by presenting a generic framework for generating actor engagement role typologies across contexts. Applied in collaborations without pre-existing roles, hierarchies or monetary exchange, this paper is the first to empirically derive a typology and constellation within this specific context, providing a foundation for future measurement development in similar settings.