Interorganizational relationships between schools of social work and field agencies: Testing a framework for analysis

Factors associated with effective interorganizational relationships between a school of social work and field agencies were explored in a survey of 62 randomly selected field educators. The study examined the relationships between three categories of agencies and the university on four dimensions: commitment to education; organizational supports and resources; interpersonal relations; and collaborative and reciprocal activities. Findings revealed that agencies with formal agreements with the university had more complex student programs and more reciprocal activities than other types of sampled organizations. Strengths and distinctive contributions of the different types of organizations to the university and to field education are illuminated.