Understanding Social Partnerships

Abstract

A model of the evolutionary process of developing social partnerships is presented. The model focuses on the interorganizational context out of which partnerships originate and proposes that six types of forces in the environment foster interaction. Next, processes of issue crystallization, coalition building, and purpose formulation, which originate in an "initiation" stage and focus the content of the partnership, are described. The evolutionary stages of social partnership are identified as (1) a context of forces generating a recognition of the need/use of partnership, (2) initiation of the partnership (encompassing issue crystallization, coalition building, and purpose formulation), (3) establishment, and (4) maturity. Processes are seen to be repetitive and cyclical, and purpose in successful partnerships tends to broaden over time. A case example is used to illustrate the model.