Collaboration among partnerships : a case study of the Cumberland Gap empowerment zone

This study compares and contrasts the perceptions of members of a collaborative group with factors believed to contribute to the success of collaborative efforts. This study also presents members' general perceptions of the collaborative process and describes the history of Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities.

A case study approach was used to determine members' and technical assistance providers' perceptions of the factors contributing to the success of the Cumberland Gap Empowerment Zone's multiparty and community collaborative efforts. The mail survey method was used to contact participants. Open-ended questions were asked to determine these perceptions.

The researcher attempted to survey twenty-seven of the twenty-eight members populations which made up the core of the collaborative group. The researcher also attempted to survey the entire six-member population of technical assistance providers to the group. In all, the perceptions and observations of nineteen participants are represented in this study.

Factors commonly associated with successful collaboration efforts were found to be prevalent in the Cumberland Gap Empowerment Zone's efforts. Survey results revealed the primary problems to be in the areas of communication, trust, and flexibility. The existence of different levels of power and disagreements among participants' desired level of low-income participation also appeared to cause problems for collaborators.