Date of Award

2005

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.W.

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Keywords

Social Work.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This study explored mandatory collaboration in the Healthy Babies/Healthy Children (HBHC) Program in Ontario. The inter-organizational and collaboration literature was reviewed to develop a conceptual framework for the study which included: (1) environmental pre-conditions, (2) organizational structures and (3) operational processes that facilitate or constrain local collaboration in the HBHC networks. An exploratory qualitative design was used to explore three main research questions: (1) What environmental pre-conditions facilitate or constrain local collaboration in the Ontario Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program? (2) What organizational structures facilitate or constrain local collaboration in the Ontario Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program? (3) What operational processes facilitate or constrain local collaboration in the Ontario Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program? The conceptual framework developed from the literature guided the research and formed the basis of the interview guide for HBHC Program Managers. A sample of fourteen managers were interviewed to gather their perceptions of mandatory collaboration in the HBHC collaborative networks in Ontario. The responses to these interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to conduct a thematic analysis of the data. The findings were then compared to the theoretical literature on environmental pre-conditions, organizational structures and operational processes. The findings supported existing literature that suggests environmental preconditions, organizational structures and operational processes are important influences that facilitate and constrain collaboration. Emergent dimensions of collaboration that warrant further exploration were also identified in the data. This study found that collaboration was an organizing mechanism well suited to community social work practice. Further, the data suggests that collaborative practice skills are critical for mediating and negotiating mandatory reforms in health and human service delivery systems. Recommendations for community social work practice with collaborative networks were also presented. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2004 .P555. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-03, page: 1234. Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2005.

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