Table 2 Coding of entry points into collaborations

1

Funding, resource, efficiency concerns

Need to partner to avoid financial or resource shortfall

Cereste et al. [48]; Dickinson and Glasby [1]; Fulop [93]; Gaynor et al. [38]

2

Existing interdependence

A natural evolution of existing collaborative arrangements

Douglas [49]; What Works Scotland [35]

3

Threats from competitors or markets

Partnering to avoid loss of competitiveness/autonomy

Murray et al. [47]

4

Market opportunities

Partnering to secure an advantage in the marketplace

Murray et al. [47]

5

Policy directives

Mandated partnering from governmental sources, e.g. buddying from special measures, forced acquisition/merger

Fulop et al. [22]; What Works Scotland [35]; Gaynor et al. [38]; Lim [55]; Hunter and Perkins [61]

6

Innovation

Desire to partner with a specific goal in mind that cannot be achieved in current organisational form

Hudson et al. [52]; Hunter and Perkins [61]