Abstract
The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to generate substantive theory regarding the development of effective partnerships among community agencies working with vulnerable populations. Ethnographic interviews were conducted and analyzed by applying the constant comparative method of qualitative analysis. This information was supplemented with data from the participants in two workshops, three manuscript reviewers, and relevant literature. Analysis of the data resulted in the emergence of a framework that outlines elements of partnerships. This framework furnishes the foundation for discussions of partnership configuration and partnership development. The results of this study provide basic guidelines for the formation of effective partnerships, and show that there is no single way to develop and structure such collaborative initiatives. Further studies are required in other substantive areas to advance the emergence of a formal theory of partnerships.
Résumé
Le but de cette étude était d’élaborer une théorie de fond sur le développement de partenariats efficaces parmi les agences communautaires travaillant avec des populations vulnérables. Des entrevues ethnographiques ont été menées et analysées par une méthode comparative d’analyse qualitative. Ces renseignements ont été complétés par des données provenant de participants inscrits à deux ateliers, par trois critiques de manuscrits ainsi que par une littérature pertinente. De l’analyse des données sont nées les structures théoriques du partenariat. Cette structure constitue une base pour des discussions sur l’organisation et le développement d’un partenariat. Les résultats de cette étude fournissent les premières lignes de conduite pour la mise en place de partenariats efficaces et démontrent qu’il n’y a pas de moyens simples pour développer et structurer de telles initiatives de collaboration.
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