Collaborative dynamics publications

Our research under this theme explores how the organizational structure, density, and collaborative efforts of entities providing homeless services influence their performance and outcomes at the community level.

Sullivan, A., Kim, S., & Lee, D. (2023). Applying organizational density to local public service performance: separating homeless service outcomes from outputs. Public Management Review, 25(2), 262–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2021.1972682 

Summary: 

When there are more organizations working together closely in an area to help the homeless, the outcomes for homeless individuals, like finding stable housing or accessing support services, tend to be better. This means that practitioners, those who work directly with homeless populations or in related fields, should focus on encouraging collaboration among different service providers and making sure there are enough organizations working together in a community to make a real difference in people's lives. 


3 Key Takeaways: 

Keywords: Organizational density, homeless services performance, community-level performance

Kim, S., & Sullivan, A. (2024). The effect of merging mandated collaborations on performance in homeless services. Public Management Review, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2024.2329222 

Summary:
The article investigates how merging mandated collaborations, where organizations are required by law or policy to work together, impacts the performance of homeless services. It suggests that while mandated collaborations can lead to increased coordination and resource sharing among organizations, their effectiveness in improving homeless service performance may vary depending on factors like the clarity of mandates and the level of support provided. Practitioners should carefully consider the implications of mandated collaborations on service delivery and tailor their approaches accordingly to ensure optimal outcomes for homeless individuals in their communities. 


3 Key Takeaways: 

Keywords: Mandated collaboration, merging jurisdictions, community-level performance, continuum of cares

Keywords: Collaborative governance networks, community-level performance, joint government-nonprofit services delivery

Summary: 

This article discusses how the way different organizations work together in homeless services affects the outcomes for homeless individuals in a community. It emphasizes that the structure of collaboration among these organizations, like whether they have formal agreements or informal relationships, plays a big role in how effective their services are. The article suggests that practitioners, those working directly with homeless populations, should pay attention to how organizations collaborate and consider ways to improve these partnerships to better support homeless individuals in their communities. 


3 Key Takeaways:

Keywords: Nonprofit shelters, interorganizational networks, social media, nonprofit advocacy, e-advocacy

An, S., & Yu, M. C. (2024). Exploring online coalition building: A longitudinal analysis of interorganizational networks of nonprofit homeless shelters on social media. Journal of Civil Society, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17448689.2024.2327387 

Summary: 

The article explores how nonprofit homeless shelters utilize social media platforms to build coalitions and collaborate with other organizations. Through a longitudinal analysis, it investigates the evolution of interorganizational networks on social media among these shelters. The study identifies patterns in online coalition building and examines factors influencing the formation and development of these networks. Overall, the findings shed light on how nonprofits leverage social media to enhance collaboration efforts in addressing homelessness. 


3 Key Takeaways: