Inter-organizational responses to AIDS: a case study of the Worcester AIDS Consortium.

This case study focuses on development and community coordination of AIDS-related services and on coalition building. Its subject is the Worcester (Massachusetts) AIDS Consortium. The objectives are to: (1) describe the environmental conditions and pre-existing networks which facilitated the formation of the Worcester AIDS Consortium; (2) articulate processes which occurred during the formative, organizational and operational phases of the Worcester AIDS Consortium's development; (3) explore social and community goals and Consortium activities; and (4) document Consortium accomplishments. Data were collected through key informant interviews and review of archival materials. Information about the Worcester AIDS Consortium experience is compared with concepts and principles suggested by organizational theories and frameworks.