Interorganizational cooperation in community mental health: A resource-based explanation of referrals and case coordination

Using data collected from mental health services delivery systems in 4 cities, this study examines the relationship between resource acquisition, resource utilization, and 3 types of cooperative, client-based interorganizational relationships: referrals received, referrals sent, and case coordination. Relationships were first explored for all 138 agencies in all 4 systems and then under conditions of environmental resource scarcity versus munificence, as measured by per capita mental health spending by the stale. Results generally supported the 3 hypotheses proposed but were strongest for case coordination and for systems embedded in resource-scarce environments. Implications of the results for policy and research are discussed as they pertain to building a better understanding of condi-tions conducive to cooperation among health and human service agencies that provide community-based services to the severely mentally ill and other client groups with long-term needs.