A Study of the Inter-Organizational Behavior in Consortia. Final Report.

In an attempt to formulate hypotheses and administrative guidelines for voluntary consortia in higher education, a heuristic framework was devised through which behavioral patterns of consortia member organizations and their representatives could be ascertained. The rationale, the framework, and the methodology of the study are first discussed. The bulk of the report is devoted to descriptions and analyses of two consortia arrangements: (1) the Association, a group of 9 institutions of higher learning in the Northeast; and (2) the Masters University-Lewis State College project, a cooperative relationship between a Northern University and a Negro college in the South. Three other cooperative arrangements are also briefly discussed: (1) a joint graduate degree program between 2 catholic colleges; (2) the University Center, a cooperative agreement among 5 institutions to provide extension education; and (3) the Institute for Urban Educational Problems, a non-profit independent agency formed by 6 institutions of higher education in a large urban area. On the basis of this study 9 major hypotheses were formulated which have major significance for the functioning of interorganizational relationships in higher education. (AF)