The Dynamic Nature of Strategic Alliances in Education Organizing

• In Event: 65.080 - Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: 65.080-13 - Organizing for Educational Justice

Abstract

There has been an increase in the utilization of organizing strategies by community-based organizations (CBOs). Successful CBOs are effective because they are able to increase their social capital and thus improve civic capacity. However, the use social capital in the literature is often vague. Who are the collaborators within these networks and what is the nature of the relationships that are being formed by CBOs? This study utilized a mixed methods approach, to explore the concepts of social capital and collaboration as they relate to the work of strategic alliance formation in education organizing. Findings indicated that CBOs seek networking opportunities with a range of stakeholders and these alliances are often issue driven and based on perceived mutual benefit.

Authors

• Michael P. Evans, Miami University - Oxford

• Kira J. Baker-Doyle, Arcadia University