Coordination Networks among Local Human Service Organizations

Insights into Super-Connectors and Barriers

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11214552
AutoresW Lee (0000-0001-9367-4255, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA, autor de correspondencia), Charalampos Chelmis (0000-0002-5920-1451, Department of Computer Science, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA), Kirsten DiNicola (0000-0002-8915-8490, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA)
Año2021
Volumen47
Número3
Páginas315-326
Fecha de publicación2021-05-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Social Service Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0148-8376 • E-ISSN: 1540-7314
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01488376.2020.1792028
OpenAlexW3047072023
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas31

This article examines service coordination patterns across various service areas in Albany, the capital city of the New York State. Based on 42 in-person interviews with executive directors at various human service agencies, inter-organizational network was constructed and analyzed. The network displayed sparse and multipolar connectivity, suggesting that organizations operate in silos, with few organizations holding key positions of structural importance in the network architecture (so-called “super-connectors”). In addition, content analysis drew qualitative insights into perceived challenges to coordinate services. Several factors, both external (e.g., lack of trust or centralized communication system) and internal (e.g., lack of resources or knowledge) might have contributed to the observed structural properties. This finding suggests further examining the role of super-connectors in future research to better understand why these hubs exist and how they can work with other organizations in a cooperative and mutually beneficial manner

Business · Human services · Knowledge management · Political science · Process management · Public relations · Service (business · Community Health and Development · Computer Science · Marketing · Public Policy and Administration Research · Social Capital and Networks