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In practice, health and social services are delivered through purpose-oriented networks (PONs) that are often favored by government and philanthropic investment as an effective means for collectively solving complex social problems. Current theories examine the evolution of these groups by resting on the traditional organizational forms of market, hierarchy, and network, without a consideration of trajectories that show movement between organizational forms over time. This article utilizes the network itself as the unit of analysis within a larger network domain to examine the most common trajectories and changes in organizational forms over time. To date, little theory has been developed or applied to account for both endogenous characteristics and exogenous system-wide dynamics and their longitudinal effects on networks. As is appropriate in the early stages of developing new theories, this article addresses the foundational steps of first clarifying the phenomenon of interest with the creation of a typology of the ways in which networks evolve as organizational forms and suggesting future network-level and network domain research agendas.

In practice, health and social services are delivered through purpose-oriented networks (PONs) that are often favored by government and philanthropic investment as an effective means for collectively solving complex social problems. Current theories examine the evolution of these groups by resting on the traditional organizational forms of market, hierarchy, and network, without a consideration of trajectories that show movement between organizational forms over time. This article utilizes the network itself as the unit of analysis within a larger network domain to examine the most common trajectories and changes in organizational forms over time. To date, little theory has been developed or applied to account for both endogenous characteristics and exogenous system-wide dynamics and their longitudinal effects on networks. As is appropriate in the early stages of developing new theories, this article addresses the foundational steps of first clarifying the phenomenon of interest with the creation of a typology of the ways in which networks evolve as organizational forms and suggesting future network-level and network domain research agendas.

The value created by public–nonprofit (PNP) alliances often emphasizes public sector service delegation to nonprofits, but public and nonprofit organizations often seek to create shared social value with alliances, particularly in sectors where there is coproduction. To better understand shared social value, we apply the Collaborative Value Creation (CVC) framework to investigate value creation in the Transition Coaching sector—nonprofit organizations that provide support to high school students as they transition to college. We interview public and nonprofit executives and staff and find that nonprofits seek resources to help navigate complex bureaucratic public structures related to private client information and centralizing bureaucratic information. We also find shared public and nonprofit value in improving client navigation, knowledge sharing within public bureaucratic structures, and capacity building. Future scholarship should develop the potential for reduced bureaucratic frictions as a point of shared value in PNP alliances.

AbstractMunicipal water utilities across the United States establish their own rate structures to cover operations, maintenance, depreciation, and outstanding debt repayment. Yet, little is known about how rates are determined to ensure equity and/or affordability. To identify sources of variation in residential drinking water rates, we examine municipalities in northeastern Illinois, 2015–2019. Controlling for water utility characteristics, billing structures, financial management, service quality, and demographic/socioeconomic factors, we find no statistically significant correlations between water rates and median household income or race when nonrevenue water from leaking infrastructure is considered, revealing relative racial equity in water pricing within these communities. A larger water distribution network, more water included in the base charge, and a greater number of months in the billing cycle are all associated with lower rates. Purchasing water through an individual or cooperative agreement, a greater proportion of nonrevenue water from leaking infrastructure, a higher minimum monthly base charge, and more revenue debt outstanding (while controlling for nonrevenue water) are all associated with higher rates. We also find a positive correlation between municipal sewer rates and drinking water rates that supports findings from prior research. Overall, our research aids in the development of public policy that ensures all households have access to affordable and safe drinking water to promote water equity and public health.