Interorganizational Coordination: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Interorganizational coordination (IOC) is a critical part of planning because most planning involves multiple interacting organizations. Theories and concepts of IOC are reviewed, including definitions, theoretical premises, interorganizationalfields, networks and interdependencies, and IOC strategies, antecedents, and consequences. To bridge the gap between current theories and taxonomies in the organization theory literature and the practice of IOC as revealed in case studies, a set of coordination structures is proposed: informal networks, interorganizational groups, coordinators, coordinating units, non-administered programs, lead organizations, and single organizations. These structures are part of an integrated framework that is offered to facilitate analysis and research.