Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve results they are more likely to achieve together than alone.
Source: The Collaboration Handbook. Winer, Ray. 1995. Fieldstone Alliance Publications, St. Paul, MN.
Networking
Cooperation
Coordination
Collaboration
The highest level of working together is collaboration. Collaboration results in innovation and systems change. Group members view themselves as belonging to one system in which they and other group members are working toward the same purpose and mutual goals. Team members communicate and work in a manner that builds trust and enables achievement of the goals and purpose. Time and experience working together is generally needed to reach this collaborative level.
Source: Hogue, 1993; Borden & Perkins, 1998, 1999)
Source: 2010 Kids Count Data Book, datacenter.kidscount.org.