ABSTRACT
Interorganizational collaborations and networks have existed for quite some time in the United States and elsewhere, yet over the last few decades there has been a dramatic increase in these types of relationships, both within and across sectors. Drawing on the sprawling literature on interorganizational relationships, in this chapter we focus on collaborations and networks involving nonprofit organizations. Our primary contribution is to offer a novel organizing framework for studying nonprofit collaborations and networks. In order to identify gaps in the literature, we explore nonprofit collaborations and networks in relation to two key dimensions: (1) the sector of the nonprofit partner and (2) the defining purpose or mission of a focal nonprofit. In order to establish a common understanding of collaboration, we document the diverse forms and purposes of interorganizational relationships and summarize research on the antecedents, processes, and structures that influence collaborative performance. We then explore nonprofit relationships with other organizations in relation to partner sector (nonprofit, philanthropic, public, and mixed) and nonprofit purpose or function (services, advocacy, and hybrid), and we conclude with an agenda for future research.
