This paper presents the results of a comparative study of
interorganizational networks, or systems, of mental
health delivery in four U.S. cities, leading to a
preliminary theory of network effectiveness. Extensive
data were collected from surveys, interviews, documents,
and observations. Network effectiveness was assessed
by collecting and aggregating data on outcomes from
samples of clients, their families, and their case
managers at each site. Results of analyses of both
quantitative and qualitative data collected at the
individual, organizational, and network levels of analysis
showed that network effectiveness could be explained by
various structural and contextual factors, specifically,
network integration, external control, system stability,
and environmental resource munificence. Based on the
findings, we develop testable propositions to guide
theory development and future research on network
effectiveness