Network analysis of inter-organizational relationships and policy use among active living organizations in Alberta, Canada

Table 1 Defining the Degree of Inter-organizational Integration

Level of Integration	Definition	Coordination Network	Partnership Network
Fully Integrated	We mutually plan, share staff or funding resources and evaluate activities to accomplish our common goals.	Yes	Yes
Partnership	We work together as a formal team with specified responsibilities to achieve common program goals (note: responsibility for each organization is usually outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding or other agreement).	Yes	Yes
Collaboration	We work side-by-side and actively pursue opportunities to work together as an informal team (i.e., do not establish a formal agreement; work together “in the spirit of collaboration”).	Yes	No
Coordination	We work side-by-side as separate organizations to achieve common program goals (i.e., efforts are organized to prevent overlap, but tasks are performed as separate organizations).	Yes	No
Cooperation	We share information and work together when any opportunity arises.	No	No
Communication	We share information only when it is advantageous to either or both programs.	No	No
Not Integrated	We do not work together at all and have separate program goals.	No	No

For the network analysis, the dichotomous variable partnership refers to a partnerships or a fully integrated inter-organizational relationship between organizations. The dichotomous variable coordination refers to a relationship at the coordination level or a greater degree of integration between organizations

ISSN: 1471-2458