Nonprofit Organizational Assessment

necessary. Outcome definitions and measures must be clear. A realistic time line should
be present with a plan in place for handling potential set-backs. An agreed upon system
for feedback throughout the collaboration should be built into the agreement.
The relationship between collaborating organizations is important to consider. Alignment
of collaborating organizations' cultures is a significant and often overlooked element of
contracting-out. Alignment of the values, mission, communication style, and outcome
measurements increase the likelihood of a successful collaboration.
Analysis of Multiple Organizations
Cooperation and Coalitions
Organizational analysis can analyze a single organization and its internal functioning as
well as a coalition of actors in collaboration for a certain goal. Such collaboration can be
analyzed for inter-actor cooperation, information sharing and capacity. A good example
is "Organizational analysis of maternal mortality reduction program in Madagascar" by
Harimanana, Barennes and Reinharz. This study used the Gamson’s Coalition Theory
and Hining & Greenwood’s archetypes to assess the misalignment of the process by
which several agencies including the Madagascar health Ministry provide prenatal
services and information to women in Madagascar. Their results show several
problems. Incongruity among actors disperses the services and therefore makes it
difficult for women to access support. Cultural inconsistencies and failure to recognize
social context, diminishes the cooperation and effectiveness of the actors. Also, the
Madagascar health ministry needs basic materials and funding to provide adequate
services to women. Additionally, Cumbersome directives created inefficiencies. The
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