| Educational decision-makers face a number of challenges as they attempt to meet social needs caused by advances in technology, new instructional delivery modes, changes in learner demographics, industry's need for just-in-time, anywhere learning, and globalization. One way decision-makers try to meet these challenges is through collaborative endeavours. This study investigated an interorganizational collaboration to identify the conditions and systemic factors that optimize effective implementation of educational technology innovation. The specific forms of the educational technology considered here are those that use broadband network telecommunications. The investigation sought the perspectives of 14 senior level decision-makers, from educational institutions, government agencies, and the information and communication technology industry, involved in such a collaboration.;A qualitative case study gathered evidence through semi-structured, open-ended interviews, a profile questionnaire, and analysis of archival documents related to the collaboration. Major themes that emerged from grounded theory procedures were compared with themes found in the literature to develop an holistic framework of a collaboration practice. Six conditions are considered necessary; collaborative philosophy, collaborative leadership, collaborative community, trust, dialogue, and a sense of 'we-ness'. Seven systemic factors (communication, setting and institutionalizing goals, membership, resources, assessing, monitoring, and reflecting) are identified as influencing collaboration. These conditions and factors have varying relevance at different phases in a collaboration's life cycle. The underlying premise of collaborative philosophy and its dynamic relationship to collaborative leadership and collaborative community extends the literature on collaboration. A new model, An Optimal Practice of Collaboration, offers practitioners and policy makers a guide to implement collaboration, is presented. |
