Critical factors in public sector collaboration in Malaysia: Leadership, interdependence, and community

Abstract

Purpose

Collaboration in a public sector is a key to solving complex social problems. This research studies the mandated public sector collaboration in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to identify the success factors that are critical to effective collaboration outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors identified were transformational leadership, interdependence, and community. A questionnaire was constructed and distributed to 500 government officers involved in public sector collaboration in Malaysia. An integrated framework was developed and analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The key findings of this study are transformational leadership that drives interdependence and collaboration outcomes and community that plays a critical role in influencing interdependence, and collaboration outcomes. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings have been discussed. The limitations of this research have been highlighted.

Originality/value

This study through the integrated model has identified the key success factors of public sector collaboration. The empirical results lend credibility to the governance of public sector collaboration.

Citation

Ramadass, S.D., Sambasivan, M. and Xavier, J.A. (2017), "Critical factors in public sector collaboration in Malaysia: Leadership, interdependence, and community", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 30 No. 5, pp. 487-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-10-2016-0167