Collaborating across sector boundaries: a story of tensions and dilemmas

Abstract

This article explores collaboration between voluntary and public sectors through the lens of theories that surface the tensions of inter-organisational collaboration. These theories identify the tensions that actors experience, the inherent tensions that underlie these experiences, and the ways in which actors manage these tensions. Drawing on a study of children's services in the United Kingdom, the article identifies three inter-related tensions experienced by voluntary sector participants – tensions between agency and dependency, values and pragmatism, and distinctiveness and incorporation. While these can be seen to relate to the inherent unity/diversity tension identified in the literature (Ospina and Saz-Carranza, 2010), the article argues that they also relate to inter-organisational context, and more specifically, to the power asymmetry between sectors.

Elite or grassroots? A feminist institutionalist examination of the role equalities organisations play in delivering representation and participation in a third sector–government partnership

“…Where feminist theorists have described the systemic marginalisation of women's issues to the periphery (Celis and Lovenduski, 2018), similarly, this finding shows the consignment of equalities matters to the periphery on the grounds of not being a cross-cutting issue of third sector majority. Third sector theorists have argued that the consensus imperative drives out diverse voices (Taylor, 2001;Bristow et al, 2008;Milbourne and Cushman, 2013;Jacklin-Jarvis, 2015). The present study supports this, but it also demonstrates how equalities issues are driven out by the institutional norm for a third sector unified voice.…”

“…There is extensive third sector literature on organisational concerns, which arises out of welfare pluralism. Scholars have identified the challenges faced by the third sector in delivering services on behalf of the state and the implications for third sector-government relations (Evans et al, 2005;Fyfe et al, 2006;Bristow et al, 2008;Milbourne and Cushman, 2013;Jacklin-Jarvis, 2015;Alcock, 2016;Egdell et al, 2016). While there is extensive literature on how interest groups influence policy, less attention has been given to how these third sector concerns are raised with government.…”

Young adult carers—Transitioning to adulthood or to adult caring?

“…Voluntary organisations are key providers of social care services, but lead responsibility remains with local authorities (Jacklin‐Jarvis, 2015). Consequently, young adult carers services in England looked to their local authorities for guidance on the direction their services should take.…”

Care coordination for adults and older people

“…Bennett and Savani, 2011; Considine et al , 2014). Respondents appeared to be involved in a balancing act between the retention of core values and pragmatism in relation to providing services for which they could gain funding (Jacklin-Jarvis, 2015). It has been noted elsewhere that involving the non-statutory sector in the strategic planning of services is vital to ensuring their appropriate design (Moxham, 2010; Porter et al , 2013).…”

“…Overall, the literature on the relationship between the state and the non-statutory sector points to complex and multifaceted connections in which the latter struggle to maintain their independence, distinctiveness, and mission (e.g. Feiock and Andrew, 2006; Jacklin-Jarvis, 2015; Macmillan, 2013) due to the power imbalance of contractor and client. Additionally, the existing literature suggests that statutory sector services are not always open or welcoming to new non-statutory sector services, being perceived as unwilling to let go of control of information (e.g.…”