Interorganizational relations and network structure: An analysis of water quality management planning

Interorganizational relations have been a popular topic for study in the past 20 years. However, most studies have focused primarily on voluntary relations among a relatively homogeneous set of organizations such as human service agencies or corporations. This research examines the interorganizational relations among diverse organizations developed under a regional planning process mandated by Section 208 of the Clean Water Act of 1972. As would be expected from a very heterogeneous set of organizations, they varied widely on numerous important factors including size, budget, staff, autonomy, and others. Of particular interest is the finding that the interorganizational behavior of voluntary organizations does not appear to fit the same model as the other types of organizations. The dynamics of interorganizational relations appear to differ from those found in previous research based on a more limited range of organization types. This suggests that relational data from a full range of organization types needs to be further examined. The amount of influence attributed to voluntary organizations by other participants in the planning process did not differ substantially from that of nonvoluntary organizations. Organization characteristics were, in general, not strongly related to organization influence. Exceptions were resource variables, which were negatively related to influence for nonvoluntary organizations, but positively related for voluntary organizations. Indicators of network position were the best indicators of organization influence. The implications of this for future interorganizational research as well as for water quality planning are discussed

Physician utilization of computers in medical practice: Policy implications based on a structural model

The development of policies regarding computer-based medical technology is hampered by a lack of knowledge about the process by which such applications are adopted and utilized by physicians. This study was designed to test a model of the process by which physicians change their practice behavior by utilizing a computer-based hospital information system (HIS). A structural model was developed, estimated, and tested using data from 270 members of the medical staff of a 1160 bed, private teaching hospital. The overall model consists of a measurement model which assumes that the observed variables are generated by a smaller number of unobserved variables or factors; and a structural equation model that relates exogenous and endogenous variables. The model indicates that consultation with other physicians on a hospital service leads to greater exposure to potential computer applications resulting in less concern about the potential impact of computers on medical practice. Physicians who are more knowledgeable about computers are far more likely to tailor the system to their individual practice by developing their own personal order sets for use on the HIS. All of these factors result in increased use of the HIS by physicians. A number of policy implications related to the introduction of new computer-based technology into medical practice settings are discussed.computers general practice technological implications