Interorganizational collaboration: A comparative case study of credit union shared branching

This dissertation investigated interorganizational collaboration among not-for-profit financial institutions known as credit unions in a comparative case study. This case study examined the process of interorganizational collaboration as demonstrated in the experiences of credit unions as they established an innovative service offering called shared branching in two states, New York and California. The on-going nature and continued expansion of the shared branching network speak to its overall success, however, given that some areas of the country have had more successful experiences than others, it provided a natural case for examination of how differing influences can lead to different outcomes.; This study compared the shared branching experiences in New York and California through the lens of a four-factor model presented in the collaboration research literature to examine similarities and differences in collaborative processes and their influences on outcomes. The comparative case study demonstrated the influences of each of the factors and their interactions from the model. Specifically in this study, the results demonstrated that success outcomes varied as factor components varied in the model. Important effects were attributed to leadership type and action, previous collaborative experiences, trust, the number and types of credit unions involved, and interactions among the factors.; Through understanding the development and continuation of credit union shared branching, whether successful or unsuccessful, is an important contribution in its own right. Additionally, there are also important implications in this comparative case study for researchers and practitioners. For researchers, it offers additional understanding of and avenues for the study of interorganizational collaboration. For practitioners, the implications can be applied to New York and California credit unions wanting to improve shared branching and can be expanded to large organizations in other settings that want to gain insight into how successful collaborations may be achieved with other organizations.; This study points to interorganizational collaboration as a useful tool and an important resource for managing organizational destiny. Through an understanding of effective management of collaborative processes, organizations can utilize its power and create opportunities to obtain positive outcomes.