Keep in mind:

Collaboration is no longer just viewed as a subset of Organisational Behaviour.

Progressive organisations now pursue Collaboration as a business function (E.g. Anglo American’s “One Anglo” programme). The concept is new and will challenge some more familiar theory and definitions.

I recently compiled a manual on the fundamentals of collaboration which included a set of definitions. Find two of them below. Do take note that I hold copyright on these so you need written permission from me for further use of anything that appears below. Just ask. (Use private message please)

“Collaboration is the co-ordinated application of a group’s knowledge to deliver a goal.” © M.J. Goosen 2008

“Procurement Collaboration is:
the integrated (Co-ordinated)
cross functional application of (Group)
supply chain and business throughput insight to (Knowledge)
deliver product at the desired time, cost and quality.”(Goal)
© M.J. Goosen 2008

Integrated: Seamless and mandated interaction
Co-ordinated: Under leadership with agreed service levels
Cross functional: All related business functions holding equal status
Application: Taken to fruitful action
Supply Chain: Transformation of commodities from raw material state to disposal stage
Business Throughput: Your company’s profit making portion of the overall Supply Chain
© M.J. Goosen 2008