Strategically aligned: A partnership case study exploring factors contributing to the development of mutuality

Background: Mutuality is recognized as an important component to partnership. However, few studies have described the elements encompassing mutuality, particularly in new relationships forming between organizations. For partnerships to achieve mutuality, it is important to identify measures contributing to this concept.

 

Objectives: This formative exploratory study explores characteristics that contribute to the development of mutuality in a public health partnership between a healthcare institution and a school of public health.

 

Methods: Key informant interviews (n=12) were conducted with IU School of Public Health-Bloomington faculty and IU Health Bloomington representatives currently serving on the IUH-IUSPH Alliance steering committee. To explore characteristics contributing to the development of mutuality, key informants were asked questions regarding perceived events that led to the development of the Alliance, perceived goals/expectations, resources acquisition/allocation, perceived outcomes, and current/future role with the Alliance.

 

Results:  For this partnership mutuality emerged as a result of years of informal networking and coordinated activities that led to the need to formalize strategic collaboration.  Three key factors describing the evolution of mutuality in this partnership were: Connectivity to Organization’s Purpose, Appropriate Alignment of Human Capital, and Maturation of Personal and Professional Relationships. 

 

Conclusions: Although mutuality is cited as a central feature of sustainable partnerships, it is also a concept that is not innate.  Mutuality requires ‘strategic’ effort from each partner that ‘unfold’ over time. While the Alliance was able to identify key characteristics contributing to mutuality, further exploration is needed to determine if these elements fit within a universal framework for measuring this concept.