Factors in the Failure of Seemingly Successful Human Service Collaboratives

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to add to the body of knowledge about the behavior of collaboratives, focusing primarily on describing collaborative failure and identifying variables that appear to be associated with failure. Collaboratives were identified by one or more of their leaders as having begun with the ingredients predictive of success (adequate initial funding, clear goals, and well structured) but which failed. Interviews, both in person and by phone, were conducted with key informants, including leaders of the collaborative and funders, including government and nongovernment organizations. The interviews were conducted based on a standard interview protocol, the reports of which were analyzed to determine what constitutes failure, and factors that these informants believe led to failure. Collaborative failure was found to be a collaborative’s lack of achieving the stated vision, falling short of achieving established goals, or achieving some benefit to the partners but not the vision the collaborative had originally established. Major factors contributing to failure were found to include change (and loss as a cause of change); trust issues; leadership; ongoing funding and budgetary restrictions; and work process flaws. Results offer information and insight for collaborative leaders, funders, and researchers.

Keywords:

• collaboration
• factors
• failure
• organizations