TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– To review the current debates on partnership working and to examine whether a “fitness for purpose” test is an appropriate way of evaluating existing developments.Design/methodology/approach– The paper examines the conceptual frameworks within which the partnership discourse has been located, and reflects on whether this enables both practitioners and academics to make sense of the partnership literature and arrangements.Findings– The paper argues that existing frameworks are limited and suggests that alternative models need to be considered.Practical implications– The paper invites the practitioner/academic community to reassess existing models in the light of experience and analysis.Originality/value– The paper provides an alternative framework within which to situate partnership development and practice. VL - 19 IS - 3 SN - 0951-3558 DO - 10.1108/09513550610658231 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550610658231 AU - Diamond John ED - Martin Laffin ED - Joyce Liddle PY - 2006 Y1 - 2006/01/01 TI - Au revoir to partnerships: what's next ? T2 - International Journal of Public Sector Management PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 278 EP - 286 Y2 - 2024/04/23 ER -