Organizational characteristics associated with agency position in community care networks

This study examines how organizational characteristics affect agency partic ipation and centrality in community service networks. We find that the netw ork structure of agency relations varies for administrative and client-rela ted activities among the 69 agencies studied, which include all but the mos t isolated agencies sewing people with physical disabilities in a single co mmunity. In identifying structurally equivalent groups using network analys is, we find that all types of agencies except HMOs are found throughout com munity service networks. Analyses show that among the five types of relatio ns, minimal intergroup activity occurs within funding and planning networks and that organizational size and ownership are the best organizational pre dictors of network location and centrality Non-profits are the most central for planning and client referrals, and large agencies are the most central for funding. We explore the implications of these findings, particularly f or sustaining cooperation within the service networks and for the role of n on-profits and medical providers in the community.