Working Together in Collaborations: Successful Process Factors for Community Collaboration

Abstract

Social workers require knowledge of how to collaborate successfully. Qualitative case study research is used to explore the key factors influencing the success of one regional interorganizational community research consortium through a testing of the 40-item Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory. Two of the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory factors for successful collaboration were confirmed: attention to informal connection and member relationships; and developing trust, respect, and understanding. Two additional success factors were found: having learning as a purpose and sharing leadership. Suggestions for the community collaboration process in social work practice and further implications for research are addressed.