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Initially making its name as the backbone technology of Bitcoin, blockchain has been referred to as a distributed ledger, public database, Internet of value, digital infrastructure, network, and platform. Compared with fluctuating cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) markets, applications of blockchain technology in more diverse business scenarios have received less attention. By analyzing 16 international business use cases under eight categories of blockchain-based solutions, this article offers a contextualized understanding of the potential for blockchain to become a general-purpose technology (GPT). It discusses how the extensiveness, evolvability, and enabling (3Es) aspects of blockchain influence the value, vision, and viability (3Vs) required for successful real-world applications. The article discusses how firms can draw on lessons from failed cases and good practices of existing cases to enhance the 3Vs for blockchain adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although coordination of care and integrated care models aim to enhance patient satisfaction and perceived care quality, evidence regarding their practical implementation remains scarce. Understanding the nuances of collaboration across care providers to achieve effective coordination of care is imperative for seamless care integration. The aim of this study was to construct a grounded theory of how inter-organizational collaboration is performed to support coordination of care for patients with complex care needs. Methods: A qualitative design with a constructivist grounded theory approach was applied. In total, 86 participants with diverse backgrounds were recruited across multiple care settings, including hospitals, ambulance services, primary care centers, municipal home healthcare and home care services. The grounded theory was developed iteratively, based on a combination of observations and interviews, and using constant comparative analysis. Results: Coordination of care, a complex process that occurs across interconnected healthcare organizations, is manifested as "Negotiating care in organizational borderlands." Care coordination evolves through a spectrum of inter-organizational collaboration, ranging from "Dividing care by disease-specific expertise" to "Establishing paths for collaboration" and ultimately "Co-constructing a comprehensive whole." These categories highlight the challenges of coordinating care across both professional and organizational boundaries. In the multifaceted healthcare landscape, effective care coordination occurs when healthcare professionals actively bridge the divides, leveraging their collective expertise. Importantly, organizational boundaries may serve a purpose and should not be dissolved to facilitate effective care coordination. Conclusions: The key to effective care coordination lies in robust inter-organizational collaboration. Even when patients receive integrated care, healthcare professionals may have fragmented roles. This research emphasizes the importance of clearly defined lines of accountability, reinforcing mutual responsibility and facilitating bridging of professional and organizational boundaries. Healthcare professionals and policymakers can use these insights to effectively utilize inter-organizational collaboration in supporting care coordination for patients with complex care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article is part of a larger study exploring the collaborative dynamics between key stakeholders in providing care to youths suffering from alcohol or substance use and their families in formulating policies and operational practices for county and country-wide application in similar settings. The focus of this article is to describe the collaborative processes between two stakeholders, a municipality, and a county council, in establishing a MiniMaria treatment center. While collaborative efforts between municipalities and county councils in health service provision are often acknowledged, little is known about how communication and decision-making processes between these entities shape the success of such initiatives. This study aims to fill this gap by providing insights into the communicative processes that foster organizational cohesion, agility, and innovation. The guiding research question is: What communicative processes occur between the county council and municipal stakeholders during the planning phase of the MiniMaria treatment center? Methods: The municipality and county council were selected based on purposive sampling, owing to the proximity and accessibility of the field. An exploratory and descriptive design, incorporating a participatory research approach, was employed for this qualitative investigation. Results: Two central themes, each underpinned by specific subthemes sum up the essence of our findings. The first theme underscores the collaborative dynamics and shared objectives that have emerged through the project, thus showing the importance of a unified vision and mutual understanding in driving the initiative forward. The second theme points to the practical aspects of implementing the project, including recruitment strategies, and the significance of interpersonal communication. Conclusions: This article sheds light on the establishment of a MiniMaria treatment center through collaboration between a municipality and county council, using the Four Flows Model to interpret communicative processes. Membership negotiation was crucial for defining roles and building a unified team identity, while activity coordination ensured aligned stakeholder efforts. Self-structuring facilitated internal organization and operational clarity, and institutional positioning aligned the initiative with broader healthcare norms, enhancing its credibility and impact. These communicative practices were central to get a grip on inter-organizational complexities, emphasizing communication's constitutive role in organizational development and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines how two major strategy formulation approaches influence city governments' decision to collaborate. Collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental actors gives rise to varying levels of risks, which can be managed by using the appropriate strategy formulation approach. Using data from a national survey of cities, we find that formal strategic planning catalyzes cross-sectoral collaboration but is not associated with government-to-government collaboration. Logical incrementalism has a consistently negative relationship with collaboration regardless of sector. The findings indicate that collaboration can be limited by city governments' capacity to undertake formal strategic planning and their propensity to engage in incrementalist decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although coordination of care and integrated care models aim to enhance patient satisfaction and perceived care quality, evidence regarding their practical implementation remains scarce. Understanding the nuances of collaboration across care providers to achieve effective coordination of care is imperative for seamless care integration. The aim of this study was to construct a grounded theory of how inter-organizational collaboration is performed to support coordination of care for patients with complex care needs. Methods A qualitative design with a constructivist grounded theory approach was applied. In total, 86 participants with diverse backgrounds were recruited across multiple care settings, including hospitals, ambulance services, primary care centers, municipal home healthcare and home care services. The grounded theory was developed iteratively, based on a combination of observations and interviews, and using constant comparative analysis. Results Coordination of care, a complex process that occurs across interconnected healthcare organizations, is manifested as “Negotiating care in organizational borderlands.” Care coordination evolves through a spectrum of inter-organizational collaboration, ranging from “Dividing care by disease-specific expertise” to “Establishing paths for collaboration” and ultimately “Co-constructing a comprehensive whole.” These categories highlight the challenges of coordinating care across both professional and organizational boundaries. In the multifaceted healthcare landscape, effective care coordination occurs when healthcare professionals actively bridge the divides, leveraging their collective expertise. Importantly, organizational boundaries may serve a purpose and should not be dissolved to facilitate effective care coordination. Conclusions The key to effective care coordination lies in robust inter-organizational collaboration. Even when patients receive integrated care, healthcare professionals may have fragmented roles. This research emphasizes the importance of clearly defined lines of accountability, reinforcing mutual responsibility and facilitating bridging of professional and organizational boundaries. Healthcare professionals and policymakers can use these insights to effectively utilize inter-organizational collaboration in supporting care coordination for patients with complex care needs.

Abstract Background This article is part of a larger study exploring the collaborative dynamics between key stakeholders in providing care to youths suffering from alcohol or substance use and their families in formulating policies and operational practices for county and country-wide application in similar settings. The focus of this article is to describe the collaborative processes between two stakeholders, a municipality, and a county council, in establishing a MiniMaria treatment center. While collaborative efforts between municipalities and county councils in health service provision are often acknowledged, little is known about how communication and decision-making processes between these entities shape the success of such initiatives. This study aims to fill this gap by providing insights into the communicative processes that foster organizational cohesion, agility, and innovation. The guiding research question is: What communicative processes occur between the county council and municipal stakeholders during the planning phase of the MiniMaria treatment center? Methods The municipality and county council were selected based on purposive sampling, owing to the proximity and accessibility of the field. An exploratory and descriptive design, incorporating a participatory research approach, was employed for this qualitative investigation. Results Two central themes, each underpinned by specific subthemes sum up the essence of our findings. The first theme underscores the collaborative dynamics and shared objectives that have emerged through the project, thus showing the importance of a unified vision and mutual understanding in driving the initiative forward. The second theme points to the practical aspects of implementing the project, including recruitment strategies, and the significance of interpersonal communication. Conclusions This article sheds light on the establishment of a MiniMaria treatment center through collaboration between a municipality and county council, using the Four Flows Model to interpret communicative processes. Membership negotiation was crucial for defining roles and building a unified team identity, while activity coordination ensured aligned stakeholder efforts. Self-structuring facilitated internal organization and operational clarity, and institutional positioning aligned the initiative with broader healthcare norms, enhancing its credibility and impact. These communicative practices were central to get a grip on inter-organizational complexities, emphasizing communication’s constitutive role in organizational development and innovation.

In this study, we explore the impact of business process digitalization on technology transfer intensity through the mediating mechanism of inter-organizational collaboration. Using data collected from 211 firms in Vietnam, we find that: (1) digitalization positively influences inter-organizational collaboration, (2) inter-organization collaboration positively affects technology transfer intensity, (3) the effect of inter-organizational collaboration on technology transfer intensity is amplified when technology commercialization potential is high, and (4) the effect of digitalization on technology transfer intensity is mediated by inter-organizational collaboration. These findings suggest that technology commercialization potential is a critical moderating factor that needs to be considered in the context of technology transfer, and its interaction with inter-organizational collaboration should be carefully managed to maximize the benefits of technology transfer. The study provides practical implications for technology firms seeking to enhance their technology transfer outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese firms are accelerating their engagement in horizontal collaboration through unprecedented inter-firm combinations that allow organizations to respond flexibly and quickly to changes in the external environment. However, existing research has not sufficiently examined trust formation and individual interaction processes in the initial stages of such inter-organizational collaboration. This study examines a newly established value-creation consortium led by the private sector that uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technology to solve social issues. We interviewed consortium members in different positions; the steps for coding and theorization (SCAT) were used to analyze individuals' interactions in the initial stage of forming inter-organizational collaboration. The results showed that the members' willingness to collaborate increased due to the leader exhibiting trustworthy behavior. Furthermore, uncertainty caused by AI's technological specificity led to insecurity, creating role ambiguity and role conflicts, which leaders and members overcame to form interdependent relationships among individuals. The indication of such a process is a new finding, the practical implications of which are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frugal innovation offers cost-effective, demand-driven products for consumers in emerging markets. By leveraging this approach, enterprises can capitalize on opportunities, boost profits, and nurture beneficial consumer relationships. This study uses the transaction cost theory to explore how symbiotic relationships within environmental turbulence influence frugal innovation. The goal is to unravel the interconnected factors that drive high-performance frugal innovation, providing enterprises with a roadmap for seizing opportunities, enhancing profitability, and cultivating enduring consumer relationships. Data from 218 Chinese enterprises were collected through a survey and analyzed using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) methods. The research findings indicate that factors such as market dynamics, technological dynamics, collaboration with suppliers and customers, relationship governance, contract governance, and inter-organizational trust are not necessary prerequisites for high frugal innovation performance. Instead, the synergy among these factors is imperative for reaching elevated levels of frugal innovation performance. Furthermore, three distinct pathways to heightened frugal innovation performance were identified: a dual-drive mechanism involving membership relationships and governance mechanisms, a membership-driven approach in dynamic technological conditions, and a governance mechanism-driven approach in dynamic market conditions. This study offers valuable theoretical and practical insights for enterprises pursuing frugal innovation in turbulent environments, guiding them towards sustained growth and competitive advantages in new markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, healthcare systems suffer from fragmentation between hospitals and primary care. In response, many governments institutionalized healthcare networks (HN) to facilitate integration and efficient healthcare delivery. Despite potential benefits, the implementation of HN is often challenged by inefficient collaborative dynamics that result in delayed decision-making, lack of strategic alignment and lack of reciprocal trust between network members. Yet, limited attention has been paid to the collective dynamics, challenges and enablers for effective inter-organizational collaborations. To consider these issues, we carried out a scoping review to identify the underlying processes for effective inter-organizational collaboration and the contextual conditions within which these processes are triggered. Following appropriate methodological guidance for scoping reviews, we searched four databases [PubMed (n  = 114), Web of Science (n  = 171), Google Scholar (n  = 153) and Scopus (n  = 52)] and used snowballing (n  = 22). A total of 37 papers addressing HN including hospitals were included. We used a framework synthesis informed by the collaborative governance framework to guide data extraction and analysis, while being sensitive to emergent themes. Our review showed the prominence of balancing between top-down and bottom-up decision-making (e.g. strategic vs steering committees), formal procedural arrangements and strategic governing bodies in stimulating participative decision-making, collaboration and sense of ownership. In a highly institutionalized context, the inter-organizational partnership is facilitated by pre-existing legal frameworks. HN are suitable for tackling wicked healthcare issues by mutualizing resources, staff pooling and improved coordination. Overall performance depends on the capacity of partners for joint action, principled engagement and a closeness culture, trust relationships, shared commitment, distributed leadership, power sharing and interoperability of information systems To promote the effectiveness of HN, more bottom-up participative decision-making, formalization of governance arrangement and building trust relationships are needed. Yet, there is still inconsistent evidence on the effectiveness of HN in improving health outcomes and quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-organizational collaboration is central to Organizational Empowerment theory. It enables organizations to strengthen their capacity and to take collective action to achieve empowerment at multiple levels. Despite the growing significance of inter-organizational collaboration in addressing complex issues in our society, little is known about what facilitates or hinders collaboration between local organizations involved with community development in a neighborhood. By applying theories of organizational networks and Institutional Collective Action Framework (ICA), and Exponential Random Graph Modeling, this study analyzes the collaboration networks between 167 local organizations in Chicago in 2016. The results suggest that these local organizations are more likely to collaborate when they are the same type of organization and have a more diverse board of directors. It was also found that organizations built a bonding structure to cope with a challenging period for neighborhood organizations in Chicago. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of empowerment literature by extending ICA and organizational network theories and a statistical approach to network analysis to describe mechanisms of organizational empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the impact of construction managers' political skills on the relationship between quality management practices and the success of inter-organizational construction projects in Pakistan. Objectively, it examines how project managers' political acumen influences the effectiveness of quality management strategies and, consequently, project success. Employing a survey-based methodology, the research encompasses a broad spectrum of professionals involved in various construction projects across Pakistan. Through this analysis, the study identifies key challenges to project success and assesses the correlation between managerial political skills and the effective implementation of quality management practices. The findings reveal a notable positive relationship between these elements, highlighting the critical role of skills such as communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution. Additionally, the research underscores the interconnected nature of managerial competencies and identifies key factors impacting project success through advanced statistical techniques like principal component analysis and median absolute deviation. Significantly, this research provides novel insights into the role of human factors in the Pakistani construction industry's project management, proposing actionable strategies for skill enhancement and offering a comprehensive overview of factors influencing project success. These findings not only show the current skills and practices landscape but also lay the groundwork for future research and strategy implementation to boost industry-wide success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital transformation era calls for digital innovations affecting the public sector, but such organizations often focus more on the efficiency and exploitation of current resources, ascribing less attention to explorative innovation. Innovation in new capabilities and technologies often require inter-organizational collaboration. In this context, public sector organizations do not operate in isolation—often engaging in interactions within their service sectors. While the contemporary literature on organizational ambidexterity primarily focuses on the balancing opportunities of a focal organization, radical sector-level development requires collaboration among various actors to achieve collective ambidexterity. Drawing on the research question of the influence of inter-organizational collaboration on the outcomes of digital initiatives, this exploratory case study on the Finnish water sector found that simultaneously operating modes of inter-organizational collaboration can facilitate different aspects of collective ambidexterity in an inter-organizational field and, consequently, the expected benefits from initiatives. Our theoretical contribution lies in demonstrating collaboration modes that can enhance specific aspects of collective ambidexterity. Accordingly, we suggest that collective ambidexterity through deliberately adopted modes of inter-organizational collaboration requires field-level facilitation in parallel with organizational ambidexterity. Furthermore, consequent practical implications for managing such collaborations are suggested for policymakers, interest groups, and the public sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese firms are accelerating their engagement in horizontal collaboration through unprecedented inter-firm combinations that allow organizations to respond flexibly and quickly to changes in the external environment. However, existing research has not sufficiently examined trust formation and individual interaction processes in the initial stages of such inter-organizational collaboration. This study examines a newly established value-creation consortium led by the private sector that uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technology to solve social issues. We interviewed consortium members in different positions; the steps for coding and theorization (SCAT) were used to analyze individuals’ interactions in the initial stage of forming inter-organizational collaboration. The results showed that the members’ willingness to collaborate increased due to the leader exhibiting trustworthy behavior. Furthermore, uncertainty caused by AI’s technological specificity led to insecurity, creating role ambiguity and role conflicts, which leaders and members overcame to form interdependent relationships among individuals. The indication of such a process is a new finding, the practical implications of which are discussed.

Collaboration between organizations is generally seen as a pre-requisite for dealing with complex problems, but such efforts appear to be inherently difficult and often disappoint expectations regarding their problem-solving capacity. In this article we add to the existing literature by taking a systemic, landscape perspective on collaborative success and failure. Using a case study of urban regeneration in the Dutch Randstad conurbation, we show that when practitioners aim to collaborate on an inter-organizational level (between organizations), they also need to collaborate productively on intra-organizational (between teams) and supra-organizational (between coalitions) levels. We investigate the tense relationships within and among these levels, and highlight what happens in-between, thereby picturing a bigger collaborative landscape. Drawing on interviews and participant observation we reveal horizontal and vertical practices of "in-betweening" within and between each level. These practices are a promising way to overcome difficulties that may surface on the inter-organizational level but are influenced by the two other levels. Understanding and synchronizing collaborations on all three levels is presented as an effective way to increase the problem-solving capacity of inter-organizational collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the relationships between trust and the structure of inter-organizational governance mechanisms (IGMs), what factors of IGMs and trust affect innovation, and how their effects lead to Successful Inter-organizational Collaboration (SIC) through innovation in the tourism industry. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect responses from 423 tourist firms from March to September 2022 in Vietnam. We applied partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis to determine the path coefficients among these latent constructs. The results reveal that the role of trust is significant in shaping an organization's behavior to create IGMs and innovation. IGMs directly impact innovation and SIC, as well as also indirectly affecting innovation variables. This study provides new insights into the literature on tourism regarding trust, IGMs, innovation, and SIC. The results can guide indispensable strategies that tourist firms can use to improve the outcomes of tourism sectors in terms of long-term collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In Canada, Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are a new model for integrated healthcare. Core to OHTs are family physicians (FPs) and their ability to collaborate with other FPs and healthcare providers. Whereas the factors for intra-organizational collaboration have been well-studied, inter-organizational collaboration between FPs and other healthcare organizations as an integrated care network, are less understood. This paper aims to explore the structural factors, processes, and theoretical frameworks that support FPs’ collaboration for integrated healthcare. Methods A scoping review was undertaken based on Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping review and using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Review (PRISMA_ScR) checklist. A search for academic and relevant grey literature published between 2000–2021 was conducted across databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCOhost).Thematic analysis was used to identify the key findings of the selected studies. Results Thirty-two studies were included as eligible for this review. Three structural components were identified as critical to FPs’ successful participation in inter-organizational partnerships: (1) shared vision/values, (2) leadership by FPs, and (3) defined decision-making procedures. Also, three processes were identified: (1) effective communication, (2) a collective sense of motivation for change, and (3) relationships built on trust. Three theoretical frameworks provided insight into collaborative initiatives: (1) Social Identity Approach, (2) framework of interprofessional collaboration, and (3) competing values framework. Conclusion FPs hold unique positions in healthcare and this review is the first to synthesize the best evidence for building collaborations between FPs and other healthcare sectors. These findings will inform collaboration strategies for healthcare integration, including with OHTs.

Inter-organizational collaboration among healthcare institutions is widely recognized to improve healthcare services. Because there is a research gap in examining the management barriers to inter-organizational collaboration in countries with less efficient healthcare systems and the reasons for non-implementation of innovations, the aim of this study was to identify key management barriers to inter-organizational collaboration in the preoperative treatment of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis in Slovenia using a mixed-methods approach with key stakeholders. A cross-sectional study was conducted using multiple methods. An online survey (n = 135) and a multilevel qualitative approach were used, interviewing patients (n = 21), healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders (n = 42). The overall assessment of barriers affecting the integrated approach at the macro, meso, and micro levels revealed that macro-level factors were statistically significantly perceived as the major barriers, while micro-level factors were the minor barriers. There was no significant difference between public and private sector respondents in the barriers at the three levels. However, there were significant differences in the perceptions of different professional groups at the micro and meso levels, but not at the macro level. The analysis of the in-depth interviews confirmed the importance of macro-level barriers. A culture of noncooperation combined with "managerial indecision" prevails in the Slovenian healthcare system due to weak management support for inter-organizational collaboration, with managers and other key stakeholders failing to make urgent decisions due to a lack of autonomy. Interviewees commonly noted that one of the major barriers to inter-organizational collaboration was a lack of resources and staff, particularly of primary care physicians and nurses. In the preoperative treatment of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, the culture of non-collaboration and executive indecision are the major macro-level barriers to inter-organizational collaboration in Slovenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify which factors affect inter-organizational collaboration (IOC) in interconnected infrastructure projects to enable practitioners to establish a collaborative environment at the project level. This specific form of inter-organizational collaboration (IOC) is characterized as "horizontal" and has received limited attention in the literature. To this end, a systematic literature review and Q-methodology were conducted. The Q-methodology involves practitioners from various infrastructure organizations in the Netherlands gaining insights into their perspectives on IOC in interconnected infrastructure projects. The study identifies two perspectives: a "holistic, goal-oriented" perspective that recognizes various dimensions of IOC and a more "people-oriented" perspective that emphasizes the value of individual factors for IOC. The findings suggest that multiple perspectives on collaboration exist among practitioners, potentially affecting collaboration in interconnected infrastructure projects. Awareness of the need to manage practitioners' perspectives, and addressing and discussing these differences, can stimulate inter-organizational collaboration and contribute to improved project performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies point out that the productivity decline in biomedicine is in significant part due to difficulties in translating basic science into clinical application. To promote translational research, the US NIH launched the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program in 2006. Prior evaluations of the CTSA program often assumed that the key to translation is inter-organizational collaboration or multidisciplinarity; hence, changes in either of these were measured as evidence of translational science. However, using novel measures of translational science, this study examines the relationship between CTSAs and translational science per se. We define 'translational science' as basic science that has translational features, and we employ two distinct, complementary measures of translational science based on publication data. Using 115 Carnegie R1 universities and their translational science publications, we find that receiving a CTSA does not obviously cause receiving institutions to conduct more translational science. Furthermore, our Principal Investigator-level analysis shows that those who received direct support from the CTSA program had already generated more translational science than others and that their research behavior did not change significantly after receiving a CTSA. Future evaluation research can adopt our novel measures of translational science and evaluation research design in the assessment of translational research activities. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the implications of our findings for science governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The virtual organization (VO) emerged intending to improve products and services in a globalized environment through collaborative work between organizations of different kinds. There is abundant literature around this topic for more than ten years. Today, with the mandatory trend of digital transformation, the aim is to redefine VO concepts and study them in the context of Industry 4.0. This paper will study the evolution of VO, from its beginnings (2010) to 2020, with a systematic literature review (SLR). This SLR will be quantified by a meta-analysis, which will allow an orderly view of the findings found. The objective is to find all the studies that have been carried out on VO frameworks based on Industry 4.0, collaborative works, and autonomous processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Canada, Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are a new model for integrated healthcare. Core to OHTs are family physicians (FPs) and their ability to collaborate with other FPs and healthcare providers. Whereas the factors for intra-organizational collaboration have been well-studied, inter-organizational collaboration between FPs and other healthcare organizations as an integrated care network, are less understood. This paper aims to explore the structural factors, processes, and theoretical frameworks that support FPs’ collaboration for integrated healthcare. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken based on Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping review and using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Review (PRISMA_ScR) checklist. A search for academic and relevant grey literature published between 2000–2021 was conducted across databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCOhost).Thematic analysis was used to identify the key findings of the selected studies. Results: Thirty-two studies were included as eligible for this review. Three structural components were identified as critical to FPs’ successful participation in inter-organizational partnerships: (1) shared vision/values, (2) leadership by FPs, and (3) defined decision-making procedures. Also, three processes were identified: (1) effective communication, (2) a collective sense of motivation for change, and (3) relationships built on trust. Three theoretical frameworks provided insight into collaborative initiatives: (1) Social Identity Approach, (2) framework of interprofessional collaboration, and (3) competing values framework. Conclusion: FPs hold unique positions in healthcare and this review is the first to synthesize the best evidence for building collaborations between FPs and other healthcare sectors. These findings will inform collaboration strategies for healthcare integration, including with OHTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaboration between franchisors and higher education institutions (HEIs) has emerged as a pathway for franchise benefactors to facilitate the inclusion of franchising curricula into business programs. This qualitative evaluative case study focuses on a franchise accelerator program that was designed to create opportunities for women and under-represented populations to pursue business ownership. The findings illustrate the value this inter-institutional collaboration creates for various stakeholders and identifies the critical components that contributed or detracted from this program. Further, it articulates recommendations for improving the program and hurdles that must be overcome. This case study may encourage more HEIs and franchisors to partner to attract more diverse talent into franchising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A close collaboration between infrastructure owners is crucial to address challenges in the design and execution of next-generation infrastructure projects for sustainable development. Managing and sharing data among parties involved in infrastructure projects, particularly the data required at the early stages of a project to design and develop an interconnected infrastructure project, appear to play a critical role in inter-organizational collaboration (IOC), but are often overlooked. In the present work, the status of collaboration and data sharing between infrastructure owners in inter-organizational infrastructure projects is studied to enhance our understanding of the relationship between collaboration and data sharing in horizontal IOCs. Explorative semi-structured interviews with practitioners were conducted at organizational and project levels in the infrastructure sectors in The Netherlands. The outcomes revealed that the theoretical benefits of IOC are not realized in practice and that managing and sharing data between infrastructure owners in inter-organizational projects (IOP) face many challenges. The findings suggest that collaboration and data sharing are interrelated in horizontal IOCs and are deemed crucial for the execution of IOPs. The findings of the present study demonstrate the importance of the bilateral relationship between effective collaboration and data sharing and provide an enhanced insight into horizontal forms of IOC and practices of next-generation infrastructure development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at describing municipal care personnel's experiences of and actions in situations when older persons need emergency medical services (EMS) at home. An inductive descriptive design adhering to critical incident technique (CIT) was used. Data were collected through interviews and free text written questionnaires, analysed in accordance with CIT procedure. Experiences related to the main areas of Lifesaving competence and Collaborative care. Lifesaving competence involved having sufficient knowledge to guide older persons in emergencies without organizational support. The lack of care alternatives carries dependence on inter-organizational collaboration, as well as having to accept the collaborative conditions provided by the EMS. Actions meant Adjusting to situational needs and EMS authority, which involved safeguarding the person while being directed by the EMS. Lack of organizational support, care alternatives, and structured collaboration jeopardize care-dependent older persons' health, and ability to influence care when emergency situations occur at home. Municipal care personnel's actions as the older person's representative support human agency, allowing older persons to become active participants in care despite acute suffering. This study underlines the importance of further developing welfare policies that facilitate and regulate inter-organizational responsibilities of health and social care to favour older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the different mechanisms through which network configurations explain organizations' influence reputation in a collaborative disaster response network. Using network data collected from public and non-profit organizations who participated in the disaster response of 2016 Jiangsu Tornado, the study finds that organizations' influence reputation is explained both by how well organizations are connected in the network (connectivity degree), and with whom they are connected (composition of ego networks). Evidence from two types of network ties (communication and coordination) in the disaster response highlights the different effects of network configurations associated with different levels of network activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Many older adults are aging-at-home in social housing. However, the lack of integration between housing and health services makes it difficult for older tenants to access needed supports. We examined barriers and facilitators health and social service providers face providing on-site services to older tenants. Methods We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus groups with health and social service professionals (n = 58) in Toronto, Canada who provide community programs in support of older tenants who live in non-profit, rent-geared-to-income social housing. Interviews examined the barriers they faced in providing on-site services to older tenants. Findings Service providers strongly believed that collaboration with on-site housing staff led to better health and housing outcomes for older tenants. Despite the recognized benefits of partnering with housing staff, service providers felt that their ability to work effectively in the building was dependent on the staff (particularly the superintendent) assigned to that building. They also identified other barriers that made it difficult to work collaboratively with the housing provider, including staffing challenges such as high staff turnover and confusion about staff roles, a lack of understanding among housing staff about the link between housing and health, challenges sharing confidential information across sectors, and complex and inefficient partnership processes. Conclusion Older adult tenants are increasingly vulnerable and in need of supports but the housing provider has a long history of ineffective partnerships with service providers driven by complex and inefficient staffing models, and an organizational culture that questions the role of and need for partnerships. Findings highlight the need for more effective integration of housing and health services. Simplified processes for establishing partnerships with service agencies and more opportunities for communication and collaboration with housing staff would ensure that services are reaching the most vulnerable tenants.

Electronic voting systems can support a key behavioral process in inter-organizational collaboration – collective decision-making – but typically face challenges related to single points of failure from centralized databases and trusted third parties to deal with privacy voting requirements. To address such issues, this work presents a decentralized voting system based on blockchain technology, Fully Homomorphic Encryption, tokenization, and Proof-of-Stake mechanisms to promote the system's sustainability while enhancing voting privacy and anonymization. Our solution introduces verifiability to voting processes without any trusted intermediaries. We use the inter-organizational collaboration use case since it introduces additional voting requirements in the private domain, such as promoting cooperative behavioral processes to develop trustworthy relationships between organizations. Our proof-of-concept implementation and evaluation results show that the proposed solution provides voting privacy with adequate computational costs. • An on-chain voting system for collective decision-making among organizations. • Smart contract and fully homomorphic encryption for decentralized voting privacy. • Mechanisms to ensure voter eligibility, participation, reward, and accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aimed at describing municipal care personnel’s experiences of and actions in situations when older persons need emergency medical services (EMS) at home. Methods An inductive descriptive design adhering to critical incident technique (CIT) was used. Data were collected through interviews and free text written questionnaires, analysed in accordance with CIT procedure. Results Experiences related to the main areas of Lifesaving competence and Collaborative care. Lifesaving competence involved having sufficient knowledge to guide older persons in emergencies without organizational support. The lack of care alternatives carries dependence on inter-organizational collaboration, as well as having to accept the collaborative conditions provided by the EMS. Actions meant Adjusting to situational needs and EMS authority, which involved safeguarding the person while being directed by the EMS. Conclusions Lack of organizational support, care alternatives, and structured collaboration jeopardize care-dependent older persons’ health, and ability to influence care when emergency situations occur at home. Municipal care personnel’s actions as the older person’s representative support human agency, allowing older persons to become active participants in care despite acute suffering. This study underlines the importance of further developing welfare policies that facilitate and regulate inter-organizational responsibilities of health and social care to favour older people.

The fourth wave of corporate foresight that is called "open foresight"; is an approach that seeks to understand, anticipate and shape future changes through broad social interactions and knowledge sharing between internal and external stakeholders. However, open foresight literature is at the development stage. So the purpose of this article is to deep understanding and cognition the nature of open foresight in the form of three axes of "why, what and how". This research has been conducted by systematic literature review and summarizing articles indexed in valid international scientific databases in the interval (2000-2020). Research findings show that "why" open foresight is explained in two topics of environmental drivers and supportive theoretical perspectives. Out of box thinking, synergy of resources, external knowledge absorption, collaborative knowledge management, inspiration for open innovation and open vision represent "what" open foresight. The process of open foresight includes three stages: pre-foresight, foresight and post-foresight; and requires individual, team and organizational preconditions. In addition, the role of the strategist is very important for trust building, facilitating information flow, coordinating and evaluating programs. This research, with systematic literature review, offers a deep insight into "why, what and how" open foresight; and while developing open foresight theory, opens a new window for future researchers.

Abstract Background Policymakers in many countries promote collaboration between health care organizations and other sectors as a route to improving population health. Local collaborations have been developed for decades. Yet little is known about the impact of cross-sector collaboration on health and health equity. Methods We carried out a systematic review of reviews to synthesize evidence on the health impacts of collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations, and to understand the factors affecting how these partnerships functioned. We searched four databases and included 36 studies (reviews) in our review. We extracted data from these studies and used Nvivo 12 to help categorize the data. We assessed risk of bias in the studies using standardized tools. We used a narrative approach to synthesizing and reporting the data. Results The 36 studies we reviewed included evidence on varying forms of collaboration in diverse contexts. Some studies included data on collaborations with broad population health goals, such as preventing disease and reducing health inequalities. Others focused on collaborations with a narrower focus, such as better integration between health care and social services. Overall, there is little convincing evidence to suggest that collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations improves health outcomes. Evidence of impact on health services is mixed. And evidence of impact on resource use and spending are limited and mixed. Despite this, many studies report on factors associated with better or worse collaboration. We grouped these into five domains: motivation and purpose, relationships and cultures, resources and capabilities, governance and leadership, and external factors. But data linking factors in these domains to collaboration outcomes is sparse. Conclusions In theory, collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations might contribute to better population health. But we know little about which kinds of collaborations work, for whom, and in what contexts. The benefits of collaboration may be hard to deliver, hard to measure, and overestimated by policymakers. Ultimately, local collaborations should be understood within their macro-level political and economic context, and as one component within a wider system of factors and interventions interacting to shape population health.

A university-focused alliance portfolio is a manifestation of industry–university–research cooperation and has become an important path to realize original innovation in science and technology. Unlike traditional technological innovation, original innovation particularly emphasizes new ideas and research areas never covered before. This paper integrates resource-based theory, alliance portfolio theory, and innovation theory, and aims to scientifically establish an evaluation index system of original innovation performance from the three dimensions of initiate research, technology breakthrough, and research breakthrough. The work explores how a university can select partners to realize collaborative innovation in the context of inter-organizational scientific research cooperation with multiple innovation subjects for nationwide research institutes and universities in mainland China. The empirical results show that resource complementarity has a significant positive effect on innovation performance. Three typical universities in the "2011 project" are selected as post-interview cases for enriching empirical evidence. This study contributes to original innovation literature by introducing the concept of resource complementarity in a university-focused alliance portfolio, and further provides implications for original and science-driven innovation studies and suggests directions for university and research institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chilean Skill for Life (CSFL) is a school mental health program implemented by local agencies from the Education, Health, and Social Services public sectors. It represents an excellent opportunity to study inter-organizational collaboration and its advantages to public and state-subsidized schools. The propensity score matching technique was used to compare school performance in second grade (the most intensive treatment level) between schools participating in the program and those not participating and between schools with different types of sectoral collaboration to identify the best partner for the school. To select all Chilean schools' participant in CSFL and the comparative group of schools' non-participant, a sequential sampling was applied. The measures were obtained from government public data, considering annual school performance and other educational indicators. It was found that public schools that implement the CSFL obtain better school performance than those that do not implement it (ATT = .042; p < .05), for state-subsidized schools, the same was not found. It was also observed that when educational agencies implement the program, the gain is more significant (ATT = .046; p < .05). The importance of aligning program values and goals with local agencies and schools is discussed, analyzing the possibilities for better collaboration in school mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of stakeholder analysis and stakeholder management is magnified as project complexity increases. Complex projects can be characterized by uncertainties arising from emerging technologies and the involvement of various types of stakeholders and their interests. Positive Energy District (PED) projects are an example of such undertaking, coupling novel energy solutions with distinct stakeholders and their diverse positions, claims, and requirements pertaining to the project. In this study, our objective is to provide a stakeholder management framework for future PED projects. The qualitative case study follows the theory elaboration methodology and aims to formulate a conceptual stakeholder management framework for PED projects. Thus, our contribution focuses on expanding the domain of project stakeholder management by characterizing and validating it in a new, time-relevant project context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many older adults are aging-at-home in social housing. However, the lack of integration between housing and health services makes it difficult for older tenants to access needed supports. We examined barriers and facilitators health and social service providers face providing on-site services to older tenants.Methods: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus groups with health and social service professionals (n = 58) in Toronto, Canada who provide community programs in support of older tenants who live in non-profit, rent-geared-to-income social housing. Interviews examined the barriers they faced in providing on-site services to older tenants.Findings: Service providers strongly believed that collaboration with on-site housing staff led to better health and housing outcomes for older tenants. Despite the recognized benefits of partnering with housing staff, service providers felt that their ability to work effectively in the building was dependent on the staff (particularly the superintendent) assigned to that building. They also identified other barriers that made it difficult to work collaboratively with the housing provider, including staffing challenges such as high staff turnover and confusion about staff roles, a lack of understanding among housing staff about the link between housing and health, challenges sharing confidential information across sectors, and complex and inefficient partnership processes.Conclusion: Older adult tenants are increasingly vulnerable and in need of supports but the housing provider has a long history of ineffective partnerships with service providers driven by complex and inefficient staffing models, and an organizational culture that questions the role of and need for partnerships. Findings highlight the need for more effective integration of housing and health services. Simplified processes for establishing partnerships with service agencies and more opportunities for communication and collaboration with housing staff would ensure that services are reaching the most vulnerable tenants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today’s highly competitive business environment, firms can ill afford the consequences of overlooking opportunities for innovation. An organization seeking to increase its existing knowledge base, in most cases, aims to identify and pursue useful knowledge available outside its borders. However, for companies interested in engaging in collaborative arrangements for innovations, systematic approaches for knowledge transfer may become a major challenge. In our research we focus on the diffusion of innovative knowledge that occurs during a joint knowledge development process. We present an empirical study spanning the period 2004 to 2018 which aims to explore the impact inter-organizational collaboration in the form of joint patenting has on the distance between partners’ technological bases. In addition, this paper looks into the change in technological distance when joint patenting occurs between different-country and same-country partners. The empirical results of the study suggest that engagement in joint patenting positively influences the technological proximity between partners and indicates a transmission and utilization of knowledge outside of firms’ existing knowledge base. Our findings contribute to knowledge related to innovation under inter?organizational collaboration and provides a basis for further theory development and testing.