UCLA Community College Review: Community College Partnerships with the Private Sector-Organizational Contexts and Models for Successful Collaboration

Abstract

Community college partnerships with the private sector have grown in significance in the past 15 years due to state budget shortfalls, evolving labor requirements, the need to provide a cutting-edge curriculum, and a desire to respond to local educational needs. This article discusses the essential elements for creating and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships, and it describes several successful types and models of community college partnerships with local businesses and industry. The article concludes with a discussion of the benefits and challenges associated with community college partnerships with the private sector.

A qualitative approach to examining the rules of a community college and industry partnership.

“…Mattessich, Murray-Close, and Monsey (2001) listed several important components: all members participating in the collaboration should have the ability to influence the process and outcomes; decision-making occurs on multiple levels; adaptable and flexible organizational structure to accomplish goals and work within changing conditions; and roles, responsibilities, and policies are clearly identified. Kisker and Carducci (2003) and Copa and Ammentorp (1998) discuss these themes within a collaborative partnership and more specifically towards higher education. Copa and Ammentorp (1998) go into more depth on the topic.…”

“…Their support can facilitate collaboration (Copa & Ammentorp, 1998;Kezar, 2005) by increasing the legitimacy of the collaboration's efforts (DiMattina, Alagaraja, & Stone, 2012;Kisker & Carducci, 2003;Ostrom, 1990;Singh, Tucker, & House, 1986) not only by providing access to resources, such as time, staff, equipment, or money, but also by increasing the commitment of others to successfully meet a goal private businesses who would benefit from the employment and local government (Caton & Mistriner, 2016). This outward support is interpreted as increased legitimacy and investment into the collaboration's success (Vajjhala, 2013).…”

“…Literature that has discussed community college and industry partnerships has defined purpose as the recognition of a community or regional need that would benefit from the involvement of both institutions (Kisker & Carducci, 2003). The institutions should then establish mutual goals to achieve the defined purpose (Kisker & Carducci, 2003).…”

“…As the perceived or actual value of the collaboration increases organizations will continue to support the development of the collaboration (Austin, 2000;Mohr & Spekman, 1994). Kisker & Carducci (2003) state that in order to achieve collaborative success among community college and industry partnerships, all stakeholders involved in the partnership should gain value. They also specify that students should be included among the stakeholders (Kisker & Carducci, 2003).…”

“…Kisker & Carducci (2003) state that in order to achieve collaborative success among community college and industry partnerships, all stakeholders involved in the partnership should gain value. They also specify that students should be included among the stakeholders (Kisker & Carducci, 2003).…”