A systematic review of collaboration and network research in the public affairs literature: implications for public health practice and research.
OBJECTIVE
We explored and analyzed how findings from public affairs research can inform public health research and practice, specifically in the area of interorganizational collaboration, one of the most promising practice-based approaches in the public health field.


METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the public affairs literature by following a grounded theory approach. We coded 151 articles for demographics and empirical findings (n = 258).


RESULTS
Three primary findings stand out in the public affairs literature: network structure affects governance, management strategies exist for administrators, and collaboration can be linked to outcomes. These findings are linked to priorities in public health practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, we found that public affairs has a long and rich history of research in collaborations that offers unique organizational theory and management tools to public health practitioners.
University of Colorado's School of Public Affairs, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA. Danielle.Varda@ucdenver.edu
Danielle
D
Varda
Jo Ann
JA
Shoup
Sara
S
Miller
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D015980:Public Health Practice; D011641:Public Relations; D012106:Research