ABSTRACT
Collaboration can only be meaningful if the stakeholders are interdependent. A collaborative strategy is called for where the need and intent is to fundamentally change the way services are designed and delivered. Collaborations are often thought of as being an altruistic act to help others, but a primary purpose of collaborating is to enhance an organization’s position, policy, or profit. Beyond the traditional forms of citizen organizations such as coalitions, advocacy groups, and advisory commissions, collaborations are about building a public agenda rather than advancing a specific cause. Cross-sector collaborations are occurring more often as a necessity to address rapid changes being generated by political, economic, and social forces. Individuals and organizations come together to collaborate for a wide array of reasons, including economic, social, organizational, or political reasons. Members have different capacities to secure the human, technological, political, or other necessary resources that allow collaborations to function. Antecedent conditions are often why the collaboration is initiated.
