Research Into Action: Coming Together Right Now.

Research Into Action is published monthly by the Society of Park and Recreation Educators, National Recreation and Park Association. As an accompaniment to "Research Update," its goal is to turn research findings into field action by highlighting management strategies. Founding editors are Dr. Ruth Russell and Dr. Daniel D. McLean, Department of Recreation and Park Administration, Indiana University.

Introduction

The recreation marketplace has changed dramatically, and partnerships and collaborations are becoming commonplace. Yet many organizations do not understand the capabilities and efforts required to successfully engage in these activities. Many professionals perceive partnerships and collaborations to be the same thing, and this is not the case. A collaboration involves different groups or individuals who see the same problem through different lenses and can explore their differences and search for solutions that take them beyond their own capabilities. Partnerships are ongoing arrangements between two or more parties that satisfy specific mutual needs.

Collaborations are about gaining understanding when the parties involved don't fully comprehend the issue but recognize that by collaborating they may be able to address and solve the issue. Collaborations involve three phases: 1) problem setting, which includes agreement in defining the problem; 2) direction setting, where ground rules are established, agendas are set, and organization occurs; and 3) implementation of the agreement.

Partnerships are formed when needs and outcomes are clearly understood by all parties involved. There are five steps to building a partnership: 1) educating oneself, 2) conducing a needs assessment and resources inventory, 3) identifying prospective partners, 4) developing a partnering proposal, and 5) drafting a written document.

The research has identified key components to success to include personal, interpersonal, organizational, and operational factors. Partner satisfaction is highly dependent on the satisfaction of individual partners. The four identified pitfalls to partnerships are slippage, discord, disjuncture, and inertia.

Impact of this Research

Public park and recreation managers at all levels need to understand the processes related to successful collaboration and partnering as well as the dynamics of maintaining a successful venture. In an environment where such involvement is both encouraged and mandated, knowledge of successful steps as well as concerns for continued success are critical.

How to Use this Research

1. Recognize that there are no fail-proof approaches to collaborations or partnerships.

2. Awareness of the steps or phases of partnerships and collaborations allows professionals to establish a template for progressing toward success.

3. Active involvement by those most invested in the process ensures a greater chance for success.

4. Continuous follow up and nurturing of parties involved is an important part of ensuring satisfaction and continued success.

5. Pitfalls in collaboration and partnering come when one or more of the parties involved fail to maintain attention to the process, or stop communicating.

For More Information

Gray, B. 1989. Collaborating: Finding common ground for multiparty problems. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Selin, S. and D. Chavez. 1994. "Characteristics of successful tourism partnerships: a multiple case study design." Journal of park and recreation administration 12 (2): 51-61.

Uhlik, K.S. 1995. "Partnership, step by step: A practical model of partnership formation." Journal of park and recreation administration 13 (4): 13-24.

Katherine James, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of outdoor recreation at California State University at Long Beach.

Research Update is edited by Dr. Irma O'Dell of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.