Interorganizational relationships within state tobacco control networks: a social network analysis.
BACKGROUND
State tobacco control programs are implemented by networks of public and private agencies with a common goal to reduce tobacco use. The degree of a program's comprehensiveness depends on the scope of its activities and the variety of agencies involved in the network. Structural aspects of these networks could help describe the process of implementing a state's tobacco control program, but have not yet been examined.


METHODS
Social network analysis was used to examine the structure of five state tobacco control networks. Semi-structured interviews with key agencies collected quantitative and qualitative data on frequency of contact among network partners, money flow, relationship productivity, level of network effectiveness, and methods for improvement.


RESULTS
Most states had hierarchical communication structures in which partner agencies had frequent contact with one or two central agencies. Lead agencies had the highest control over network communication. Networks with denser communication structures had denser productivity structures. Lead agencies had the highest financial influence within the networks, while statewide coalitions were financially influenced by others. Lead agencies had highly productive relationships with others, while agencies with narrow roles had fewer productive relationships. Statewide coalitions that received Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funding had more highly productive relationships than coalitions that did not receive the funding.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that frequent communication among network partners is related to more highly productive relationships. Results also highlight the importance of lead agencies and statewide coalitions in implementing a comprehensive state tobacco control program. Network analysis could be useful in developing process indicators for state tobacco control programs.
Krauss
Melissa
M
Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, MO 63104, USA.
Mueller
Nancy
N
Luke
Douglas
D
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005380:Financing, Government; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008824:Michigan; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009518:New York; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000191:economics; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012944:Social Support; D013219:State Government; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States; D014861:Washington; D014959:Wyoming