Advancing Collaboration Theory

In recent years, collaboration has emerged as a central component of public administration and nonprofit organization management in practice as well as in theory. Yet, it is way too tempting to simply assume that when two organizations are linked within or across sectors, they will work together - collaboratively and effectively for the public good. With Advancing Collaboration Theory, Morris and Miller-Stevens offer us a thoughtful and interesting re-examination of the what's and how's of collaboration. This is a must read. We are indebted to them. -J. Steven Ott, University of Utah At a time when research on collaboration in the public service has significantly grown but not yet coalesced into a clear and coherent knowledge base, Morris and Miller-Stevens' Advancing Collaboration Theory is a welcome addition that fills a critical gap in the current study of collaboration. Deeply rooted in the scholarship, this work charts the major unanswered dilemmas in collaboration research and provides five themes that structure their understanding and exploration of collaboration in the public service. This work contains conceptual and empirical chapters that explore collaboration from multiple perspectives and in multiple settings, shining a bright light on these dilemmas and capturing perspectives on both the process of collaboration and the structures that arise from collaborative endeavors. I have little doubt this book will quickly become required reading for those interested in the study and practice of collaboration in the public service. -Jessica E. Sowa, University of Colorado Denver