Pathways to Cooperation among Public Agencies

In: Journal of policy analysis and management: the journal of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Band 7, Heft 1, S. 94-117

Abstract

Patterns of cooperation within educational service agencies (ESA) in 9 groups of local school districts in Mass, Mich, Wash, WVa, & Conn are examined to identify factors that encourage such public agencies to overcome barriers to cooperation. Six theoretical perspectives drawn from the literature on organizational relationships are examined that attempt to explain why agency managers might opt to bear the costs of cooperation: (1) to get more resources, (2) to obtain political advantage, (3) to satisfy norms & values, (4) to solve problems, (5) to reduce uncertainty, & (6) to obey legal mandates. Data obtained from extensive case studies of each ESA illustrate strengths & weaknesses of each perspective as they apply to public managers coping with complex realities. A process model of cooperation is developed that views cooperation as a chain of events & preconditions constructed both by strategic managerial calculation & by chance & outside forces, particularly demands for improved performance. 2 Tables, 1 Figure. Modified HA