title: Strategic alliances in healthcare: opportunities for the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.
abstract: Strategic alliances are proving to be effective strategies for responding and adapting to changing environments, and as such they offer the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system valuable opportunities for accomplishing the goals of its major reorganization effort. This article begins with an examination of basic strategic-alliance structures that are employed across many different types of industries. Next, consideration is given to the ways in which these basic alliance structures may be adapted to the unique organizations and individuals that serve as providers, purchasers, and consumers of health services. Finally, this article explores how models of strategic alliance in healthcare can be tailored to the specific needs and constraints of the VA healthcare system through an examination of existing and potential alliance opportunities.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Halverson
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kaluzny
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D006265:Health Care Coalitions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006754:Hospital Restructuring / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000458:organization & administration