Inter-Organizational Networks in Education
Item
Title
Inter-Organizational Networks in Education
Abstract/Description
In this chapter, we focus on reform-oriented, inter-organizational networks that are regarded as ‘a new construct for conceiving of education provision and a new strategy for achieving reform’ (Chapman & Aspin, 2003, p. 2). By this we mean inter-organizational networks are comprised of members who actively collaborate to develop and advance strategies for improving teaching and learning in schools. Examples of reform-oriented, inter-organizational networks include charter management organizations (CMOs), comprehensive school reform designs (CSR) and certain district-based networks, among others.
The intent of this chapter is to discuss the role of inter-organizational networks in school improvement efforts across a range of contexts, to highlight leading inter-organizational networks engaged in the work of school improvement and to provide an analytic scheme to support more systematic approaches to studying inter-organizational networks. To do this, we begin by discussing the key dimensions of inter-organizational networks in education. Following this, we examine how inter-organizational networks typically operate through: (1) collective responsibility and commitment, (2) collaboration, and (3) capacity building, and 4) coordination. We then discuss the benefits and challenges inter-organizational networks face in carrying out their work. We conclude by highlighting emerging areas of research on inter-organizational networks in education.
The intent of this chapter is to discuss the role of inter-organizational networks in school improvement efforts across a range of contexts, to highlight leading inter-organizational networks engaged in the work of school improvement and to provide an analytic scheme to support more systematic approaches to studying inter-organizational networks. To do this, we begin by discussing the key dimensions of inter-organizational networks in education. Following this, we examine how inter-organizational networks typically operate through: (1) collective responsibility and commitment, (2) collaboration, and (3) capacity building, and 4) coordination. We then discuss the benefits and challenges inter-organizational networks face in carrying out their work. We conclude by highlighting emerging areas of research on inter-organizational networks in education.
Author/creator
Date
In publication
Publisher
SAGE Publications Ltd
Resource type
Research/Scholarly Media
Resource status/form
Published Text
Scholarship genre
Theoretical
IRE Approach/Concept
Open access/full-text available
No
ISBN
978-1-5264-2066-4 978-1-5264-6554-2
Citation
Wohlstetter, P., & Lyle, A. G. (2019). Inter-Organizational Networks in Education. In M. Connolly, D. Eddy-Spicer, C. James, & S. Kruse (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of School Organization. SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526465542.n12
Comments
No comment yet! Be the first to add one!