Moore Spencer, Smith Cynthia, Simpson Tammy, Minke Sharlene Wolbeck
Centre for Health and Policy Studies, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2006 Oct 31;6:141. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-6-141.
Knowledge of the structure and character of inter-organizational relationships found among health promotion organizations is a prerequisite for the development of evidence-based network-level intervention activities. The Alberta Healthy Living Network (AHLN) mapped the inter-organizational structure of its members to examine the effects of the network environment on organizational-level perceptions. This exploratory analysis examines whether network structure, specifically partnership ties among AHLN members, influences organizational perceptions of support after controlling for organizational-level attributes.
Organizational surveys were conducted with representatives from AHLN organizations as of February 2004 (n = 54). Organizational attribute and inter-organizational data on various network dimensions were collected. Organizations were classified into traditional and non-traditional categories. We examined the partnership network dimension. In- and out-degree centrality scores on partnership ties were calculated for each organization and tested against organizational perceptions of available financial support.
Non-traditional organizations are more likely to view financial support as more readily available for their HEALTR programs and activities than traditional organizations (1.57, 95% CI: .34, 2.79). After controlling for organizational characteristics, organizations that have been frequently identified by other organizations as valuable partners in the AHLN network were found significantly more likely to perceive a higher sense of funding availability (In-degree partnership value) (.03, 95% CI: .01, .05).
Organizational perceptions of a supportive environment are framed not only by organizational characteristics but also by an organization's position in an inter-organizational network. Network contexts can influence the way that organizations perceive their environment and potentially the actions that organizations may take in light of such perceptions. By developing evidence-based understandings on the influence of network contexts, the AHLN can better target the particularities of its specific health promotion network.
了解健康促进组织之间的组织间关系的结构和特征，是开展基于证据的网络层面干预活动的前提条件。艾伯塔省健康生活网络（AHLN）描绘了其成员之间的组织间结构，以研究网络环境对组织层面认知的影响。这项探索性分析考察了在控制组织层面属性后，网络结构，特别是AHLN成员之间的伙伴关系，是否会影响组织对支持的认知。
对截至2004年2月的AHLN组织的代表进行了组织调查（n = 54）。收集了关于各种网络维度的组织属性和组织间数据。组织被分为传统和非传统两类。我们考察了伙伴关系网络维度。计算了每个组织在伙伴关系上的入度和出度中心性得分，并与组织对可用财政支持的认知进行了测试。
与传统组织相比，非传统组织更有可能认为其健康促进项目和活动更容易获得财政支持（1.57，95%置信区间：0.34，2.79）。在控制了组织特征后，发现那些在AHLN网络中经常被其他组织视为有价值伙伴的组织，更有可能感知到更高的资金可得感（入度伙伴关系价值）（0.03，95%置信区间：0.01，0.05）。
组织对支持性环境的认知不仅受组织特征的影响，还受组织在组织间网络中的地位的影响。网络环境可以影响组织对其环境的认知方式，以及组织可能根据这种认知采取的行动。通过对网络环境影响形成基于证据的理解，AHLN可以更好地针对其特定健康促进网络的特殊性。
