Table 1 Four facilitation functions... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1

Four facilitation functions explained and related to integrated research literature

Facilitation function	Definitions and explanations in the practice-informed literature	Similar role descriptions in the literature on integrated research
Process Guide	“Servant of the group […] keeps discussion on track, enforces agreed ground rules”; structures, manages and guides the collaborative process (Straus, 2002, p. 118; see also Weisbord and Janoff, 2007; Kaner and Lind, 2014; Schwaber and Sutherland, 2020; Kahane, 2021)	Facilitator, (Guimarães et al., 2019); Mediator, Translator (Hoffmann et al., 2022) Process Facilitator (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Bulten et al., 2021) Partially Contradictory to Neutral Third Party Function: Change Agent, Transition Leader (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Adelle et al., 2019; Bulten et al., 2021)
Collaboration-Tool Giver	Offers and explains broad repertoire of problem-solving methods (Straus, 2002; Schwarz, 2016; Jones and Sharp, 2019)	Mainly implicitly addressed through: Bridge Builder, Boundary Crosser (Hoffmann et al., 2022) Partially Contradictory to Neutral Third Party Function: Knowledge Broker (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Bulten et al., 2021); Knowledge Integrator (Hoffmann et al., 2022; Hofmann et al., 2025)
Process Educator	Demystifies facilitation, transfers tools of collaborative action to raise group process literacy and enable learning processes through creating space for reflexivity (Straus, 2002; Kaner and Lind, 2014; Jones and Sharp, 2019; Schwaber and Sutherland, 2020; Kahane, 2021)	Catalyst, Mediator, Advisor (Hoffmann et al., 2022); Change Agent (Hofmann et al., 2025) Partially Contradictory to Neutral Third Party Function: Self-reflexive scientist, (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Bulten et al., 2021; Hofmann et al., 2025)
Neutral Third Party	Maintains unbiased stance so that coordination does not become a straitjacket for subordinate voices or limits team members' individual expertise input (Straus, 2002; Weisbord and Janoff, 2007; Schwaber and Sutherland, 2020; Kahane, 2021)	Only implicitly addressed through: Facilitator (Hoffmann et al., 2022); Process Facilitator (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Adelle et al., 2019; Bulten et al., 2021); Change Agent (Hofmann et al., 2025) Partially Contradictory to: Integration Expert as Contributor and Evaluator (Hoffmann et al., 2022); Process Facilitator (Hofmann et al., 2025); Researcher as Facilitator; Facilitator as Evaluator (Verwoerd et al., 2020)

Facilitation function	Definitions and explanations in the practice-informed literature	Similar role descriptions in the literature on integrated research
Process Guide	“Servant of the group […] keeps discussion on track, enforces agreed ground rules”; structures, manages and guides the collaborative process (Straus, 2002, p. 118; see also Weisbord and Janoff, 2007; Kaner and Lind, 2014; Schwaber and Sutherland, 2020; Kahane, 2021)	Facilitator, (Guimarães et al., 2019); Mediator, Translator (Hoffmann et al., 2022) Process Facilitator (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Bulten et al., 2021)Partially Contradictory to Neutral Third Party Function: Change Agent, Transition Leader (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Adelle et al., 2019; Bulten et al., 2021)
Collaboration-Tool Giver	Offers and explains broad repertoire of problem-solving methods (Straus, 2002; Schwarz, 2016; Jones and Sharp, 2019)	Mainly implicitly addressed through: Bridge Builder, Boundary Crosser (Hoffmann et al., 2022)Partially Contradictory to Neutral Third Party Function: Knowledge Broker (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Bulten et al., 2021); Knowledge Integrator (Hoffmann et al., 2022; Hofmann et al., 2025)
Process Educator	Demystifies facilitation, transfers tools of collaborative action to raise group process literacy and enable learning processes through creating space for reflexivity (Straus, 2002; Kaner and Lind, 2014; Jones and Sharp, 2019; Schwaber and Sutherland, 2020; Kahane, 2021)	Catalyst, Mediator, Advisor (Hoffmann et al., 2022); Change Agent (Hofmann et al., 2025)Partially Contradictory to Neutral Third Party Function: Self-reflexive scientist, (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Bulten et al., 2021; Hofmann et al., 2025)
Neutral Third Party	Maintains unbiased stance so that coordination does not become a straitjacket for subordinate voices or limits team members' individual expertise input (Straus, 2002; Weisbord and Janoff, 2007; Schwaber and Sutherland, 2020; Kahane, 2021)	Only implicitly addressed through: Facilitator (Hoffmann et al., 2022); Process Facilitator (Wittmayer and Schäpke, 2014; Adelle et al., 2019; Bulten et al., 2021); Change Agent (Hofmann et al., 2025)Partially Contradictory to:Integration Expert as Contributor and Evaluator (Hoffmann et al., 2022); Process Facilitator (Hofmann et al., 2025); Researcher as Facilitator; Facilitator as Evaluator (Verwoerd et al., 2020)

Source(s): Author's own compilation