Is Partnership Intensity or Density More Effective?

Abstract

Current scholarship identifies benefits to both quality of partnerships and extensiveness of networks when managing shared policy goals. However, with limited collaborative capacity, many public service organizations are faced with a decision of whether to pursue intense connections with specific organizations or dense ties with an array of organizations. From using survey data from 72 local air agencies, findings indicate that intense partnerships are better predictors of improved air quality than dense ties. Conclusions suggest that building strong partnerships is more important than building many partnerships when pursuing shared policy goals in a multidimensional environment.

Keywords:

• Cross-sectoral collaboration
• intergovernmental relations
• partnerships

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luke Fowler

Luke Fowler is an assistant professor and MPA Director in the School of Public Service at Boise State University. His research interests include environmental and energy policy, state and local government, policy implementation, and administrative and policy theory. His related work has been published in American Review of Public Administration, Governance, State & Local Government Review, Politics & Policy, Review of Policy Research, and Environmental Politics.