Interorganizational collaboration in public health data sharing

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Transportation Science
• Organizational Studies

Background:

• Cross-sector collaboration is mandated to improve public health outcomes.
• Effective data sharing is crucial for successful interorganizational networks.
• Existing research often overlooks the practical challenges in achieving true collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze institutional and social forces impacting collaborative data sharing.
• To investigate data sharing practices between transportation and public health sectors.
• To understand barriers to cross-sector interorganizational collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design combining surveys and focus groups.
• Survey distributed to 57 public health and 157 transportation professionals.
• Focus groups conducted with 12 organizational leaders from both sectors.

Main Results:

• Professional specialization and organizational structures impede cross-sector relationship development.
• Building necessary social capital for data sharing is resource-intensive.
• Significant organizational investment is needed to bridge professional divides.

Conclusions:

• True cross-sector collaboration requires addressing professional specialization and social relationship barriers.
• Organizational-level interventions are essential to foster effective data sharing.
• Future research should explore the interplay between professional identity and collaborative success.