Abstract

Human service agency transportation systems are studied and the coordination of public transit and human services is studied in detail.

A review of the literature of interorganizational behavior led to the development of a model of the coordination process which studied the entire process including the factors which influence an agency's willingness to coordinate. Characteristics of sets of agencies which facilitate or impede coordination, and the external forces which may influence the process were also studied.

It was found that the most significant factor which affected the agency's willingness to coordinate was whether they preceived that the potential financial benefits were worth the loss of control which might result from coordinating with other units. Willingness to coordinate was also related to the nature of the agencies' commitment to transportation. Agency directors were sensitive to the fact that coordination needs some administrative effort and were more willing to coordinate if they had the time to enter into the necessary negotiations.

227 p.; Appendices(3); Figures(6); References; Tables