National network for research on collaboration in the welfare sector

Collaboration between organizations and professionals has become an increasingly important issue for the modern welfare society. In line with the lack of collaboration within the welfare sector, there have been increasing demands for the relevant authorities and organizations to improve their collaboration. This aims to address the increased fragmentation and lack of a holistic approach. Attempts have been made with collaboration where legislation has made it possible to achieve financial and political collaboration between different authorities. It has led to the establishment of associations for collaboration at the same time as it has become increasingly common with collaboration at the national level.

A large part of the research conducted in Sweden has focused on identifying problems with collaboration, developing concepts about different aspects of collaboration, and conducting empirical studies on perceived success factors and obstacles in organizational collaboration. However, there is a lack of research on how citizens with complex needs are affected by various forms of collaboration, as well as research on democratic governance and political responsibility for collaborating authorities.

The purpose of the network is to be a forum for researchers from different disciplines to identify frameworks for problems, state of knowledge, and the need for theory development of the welfare society’s collaboration challenges. The network monitors national and international research to enable international comparative studies. The network is multidisciplinary and aims to include researchers from a large number of universities and colleges in Sweden. This would allow new constellations of researchers and research projects across subject and university borders. The network focuses on research with a high degree of social relevance and therefore has a continuous collaboration with actors who are working hands-on in the welfare sector.