Table 1.

Indicators of collaboration (based on D’Amour et al. 2008)

Dimension	Indicator	Description
Shared goals and vision	Goals	Identifying and sharing common goals is an essential point of departure for a collaborative undertaking.
	Client-centred orientation vs. other allegiances	There can be an asymmetry of interests among partners or a partial convergence of interests. Collaboration will depend on the extent to which these can be negotiated.
Internalisation of interdependencies	Mutual acquaintanceship	It is necessary to create the social conditions that will foster collaboration, particularly through social interaction.
	Trust	Collaboration is possible when organisations have trust in each other’s competencies and ability to assume responsibilities. Trust reduces uncertainty.
Governance	Centrality	The existence of clear and explicit direction can guide action towards collaboration (i.e. through the use of central authorities who can provide a direction and play a strategic role in implementing collaborative processes).
	Leadership	Leadership can have multiple forms and operate at different levels of the organisation. Collaboration depends on the distribution of power and the ability of all organisations to participate in decision-making.
	Support for innovation	Collaboration can be seen as an innovation in itself, as it often involves new activities or dividing responsibilities differently. Collaboration cannot take place without a complementary learning process.
	Connectivity	Connectivity refers to the fact that organisations have places for discussion and constructing bonds. Connectivity allows for rapid and continuous adjustments in response to problems of coordination.
Formalisation	Formalisation tools	Formalisation is an important means of clarifying the various organisations’ responsibilities. Collaboration is facilitated if the actors involved know what is expected of them and what they can expect from others.
	Information exchange	Information exchange is facilitated by the existence of appropriate information infrastructure. Good mechanisms for information exchange reduce uncertainty and increase trust between organisations.