Creating Collaborative Advantage

Chris Huxham is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management Science at the University of Strathclyde.CONTRIBUTORS OUTSIDE WESTERN HEMISPHERECatherine Barr University of StrathclydeSteve Cropper Keele UniversityColin Eden University of StrathclydeArnold de Jong Netherlands

• PART ONE: INTRODUCTIONCollaboration and Collaborative Advantage - Chris HuxhamPART TWO: RATIONALES AND CONTEXTS FOR COLLABORATIONOn the Theory and Practice of Transformational Collaboration - Arthur Turovh HimmelmanFrom Social Service to Social JusticeThe Stakeholder/Collaborator Strategy Workshop - Colin EdenCross-Sectoral Partners - Barbara GrayCollaborative Alliances among Business, Government and CommunitiesPART THREE: COLLABORATION IN PRACTICE: KEY ISSUESCollaborative Working and the Issue of Sustainability - Steve CropperFive Obstacles to Community-Based Collaboration and Some Thoughts on Overcoming Them - David SinkInvolving the Community - Catherine Barr and Chris HuxhamCollaboration for Community DevelopmentPART FOUR: INTERVENTION PROCESSES FOR COLLABORATIONThe Role of Facilitation in Collaborative Groups - Sandor P SchumanGroup Decision Support for Collaboration - Chris HuxhamStakeholder Strategies for Positive Collaborative Outcomes - Charles B FinnInter-Organizational Collaboration in the Policy Preparation Process - Arnold de JongPART FIVE: CLOSUREThe Search for Collaborative Advantage - Chris Huxham

`The purpose of this edited collection is to introduce the theory and practice of creating collaborative advantage. The stated aims are to develop a theoretical framework, to examine the detail and problems of collaborative practice and to explore techniques and processes of third party facilitation of collaboration. Although these aims are explicitly addressed in separate sections of the book, a real strengh is that almost all the contibutions look at both theory and practice. A danger with a book in a new and emerging field is that writing about theory and practice turns out to be speculation and prescription. It is, therefore, refreshing to read a composite work in which most of the theoretical constructs have arisen out of reflection on practice which is rigourously examined. It is also clear that the distinctions between theory and practice are not regarded as absolute or unbreachable.... Overall, this book is successful in doing what it sets out to do. Collaboration is presented as complex and problematic rather than the latest in a long line of managerialist prescriptions. Both students and professionals who have an interest in this area will find it helpful in providing examples and theoretical tools for analysis′ - Management Learning`This book is a significant contribution to the debate surrounding partnership working... and one that focuses largely on achieving collaborative advantage "as a means of tackling social issues" (p.16). This is the real strength of the book, the idea that there are lessons to be learned from the theory and practice of partnership working that can deliver collaborative advantage to all sectors.... Overall, Chris Huxham has brought togther a discussion of the theory and practice of collaborative working from an academic conference into a publication that works. In my view this is itself a useful example of the pursuit of synergy to be found in collaboration. There is enough theory and enough practice here to give the edition a wide appeal and it should be read with interest by academics, practitioners and students alike′ - Local Government Studies