Cross-Sectoral Governance and Performance in Service Delivery

Abstract

This paper considers the determinants of effective cross-sectoral partnerships for the delivery of publicly funded services. A multivariate model of the influence on service delivery effectiveness of the inter-organizational governance arrangements, the nature of interdependencies in service delivery, the intensity of interactions, the characteristics of the constituent partners, and the characteristics of the network within which the partnerships operate is developed and empirically analyzed. Using data on 138 partnerships operating within 26 networks to provide family preservation services in a major United States county, a random-effects model is estimated. Service delivery is found to be positively impacted when roles and responsibilities are contractually defined, when partners are viewed as trustworthy, and by the extent to which decision making, information, and resources are shared. More sector diversity within the network is associated with less effective service delivery, but the effect of sector diversity in partnerships is mixed.