NCJ Number
193306
Journal
Topics in Community Corrections Dated: 2001 Pages: 3-5
Date Published
2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article defines "collaboration," identifies its roots, and outlines the characteristics of effective collaborations, based on the work of Carl Larson and Frank M. LaFasto.
Abstract
Collaboration in community corrections is a necessity, since it requires both sharing resources with and enhancing the capacity of another agency. "Collaboration," as defined by Chris Huxham in "Creating Collaborative Advantage," is "the exchange of information, the altering of activities, the sharing of resources, and the enhancement of the capacity of another for the mutual benefit of all and to achieve a common purpose." The business community in the United States discovered the strategic importance of collaboration long ago. Businesses have realized that separate and competing fiefdoms within an organization create inefficiency and undermine effectiveness. Collaboration serves the cost-effective achievement of organizational goals. In an effort to identify the characteristics of successful collaborations, Carl Larson and Frank M. LaFasto studied a number of highly successful teams. Eight common characteristics were identified: a clear, elevating goal; principled leadership; a results-driven structure; competent team members; unified commitment; standards of excellence; collaborative climate; and external support. The success of the interagency collaborations in community corrections is based, at least in part, on the extent to which they follow these principles for effective teams. 5 references