Table 2 Factor loadings of the items of the collaboration evaluation scale
Item | (n = 277) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Factor 1a: Commitment and Loyalty (α = .84) | ||||
1. I take time to learn and understand each collaborating agency’s mission and priorities | .71 | |||
2. I always keep the goals and the potential positive outcomes of the collaboration in mind | .69 | |||
3. The characteristics of each collaborating agency are utilised to the maximum | .64 | |||
4. Prior to the beginning of a new collaboration, I identify similarities/differences between the cultures of the participating agencies | .60 | |||
5. I develop a way to compromise on important differences | .59 | |||
6. I provide feedback on the results of the cases to the collaborating agency | .58 | |||
7. I think the establishment of trust and mutual responsibility for common goals is important for collaborating with other agencies | .55 | |||
8. I define the goal of the case in detail prior to beginning a new collaboration | .49 | |||
9. I understand the working process of the collaborating agency | .48 | |||
10. I talk to my colleagues about a positive view of the collaboration | .42 | |||
Factor 2: Strong Leadership (α = .87) | ||||
11. The upper management can take responsibility for making decisions on behalf of the collaborating agency | .89 | |||
12. The upper management provides immediate assistance when problems arise | .74 | |||
13. The upper management truly understands our agency’s position in the collaboration | .73 | |||
14. The upper management truly understands the priorities of the collaboration | .69 | |||
15. The upper management has a positive attitude towards the utilisation of our agency’s resources to support the collaboration | .69 | |||
16. The upper management explains the role of our agency to other collaborating agencies | .53 | |||
Factor 3: Resources (α = .62) | ||||
17. I review pertinent laws and regulations prior to the collaborative effort | .55 | |||
18. I check the similar issues and cases of previous inter-agency collaborations prior to beginning a new collaboration | .52 | |||
19. There are sufficient staff members to engage in the collaboration | .49 | |||
20. There are sufficient funding sources to engage in the collaboration | .39 | |||
Factor 4: Turf Issues (α = .63) | ||||
21. I do not want to deal with the additional tasks pertaining to the collaboration | .72 | |||
22. I do not want to provide any additional resources for the collaborating agency when my agency’s duty is finished | .61 | |||
23. I want to defend my own territory | .46 | |||
24. I do not want to examine or modify an agency’s procedures that are unnecessarily inhibiting or detrimental to a collaborating agency | .44 | |||