Working better together

New approaches for understanding the value and challenges of organizational partnerships

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22945337
AutoresElisha Riggs (0000-0003-0799-7467, The University of Melbourne, autor de correspondencia), Katharina Block (0000-0003-0560-4148, The University of Melbourne), Deborah Warr (0000-0003-3962-1499, The University of Melbourne), Lisa Gibbs (0000-0001-9702-6896, The University of Melbourne)
Año2014
Volumen29
Número4
Páginas780-793
Fecha de publicación2014-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
EditorialOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/dat022
PMID23630133
OpenAlexW2170659115
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas13
Referencias citadas31

Inter-agency partnerships are critical for addressing the interrelated circumstances associated with the social and health determinants of health inequalities. However, there are many challenges in evaluating partnership processes and outcomes. We discuss a mixed methods study that explored partnership processes in an innovative program that aims to promote social and economic inclusion for young newly arrived refugees. A theoretically informed evaluation was designed and data collected in three ways: an organizational ethnographic approach; a partnership self-assessment tool and semi-structured interviews. Partnership assessments and interviews were collected at two points in time providing progressive process data. Analyses explore divergent levels of staff satisfaction with the partnership's operations, particularly between staff working in program development (strategic management) and program delivery (service provision) roles. Follow-up data collection indicated satisfaction with partnership processes had improved. The partnership did achieve its aim of increasing the level of cooperation between service providers to support young people from refugee backgrounds. This paper presents insights into how to evaluate inter-agency partnerships and reports both methodological and empirical findings. It provides an approach for a better understanding of the levels at which individuals operate within such partnerships, indicates areas where support and attention is needed.

Agency (philosophy) · Business · General partnership · Inclusion (mineral) · Political science · Public relations · Service (business) · Service delivery framework · Service provider · Sociology · Community Health and Development · Health Policy Implementation Science · Marketing · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Psychology