title: The story behind the story of collaborative networks -- relationships do matter!
abstract: This study reports data about the real story behind the current trend of mandated interorganizational collaboration of health and human service agencies. By means of qualitative design (N-22), public health managers were interviewed about the extent and nature of their collaborative efforts in the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) Program in Ontario, Canada. Using a conceptual framework of resource exchange theory, this study found that relational processes specifically: (a) previous relationships with other agencies and (b) interpersonal relations namely: informality, local community, open communication and resolving conflicts were the reasons for successful collaborations. Implications are directed toward: health and social planners, administrators, board members, funding bodies and policy-makers. The study offers new knowledge about a subject which has received minimal attention in the literature.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Chrysler Hall South, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada. dunlopf@uwindsor.ca
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Holosko
mesh_terms: D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009864:Ontario; D010559:Personnel Management; D011340:Problem Solving; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*