Impact of Inter-Organizational Alignment (IOA) on Implementation Outcomes

This study is the first to examine the specific impact of overlapping organizational contexts in which evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation increasingly occurs. This exploratory mixed-methods research was conducted to evaluate the intra- and inter-organizational implementation contexts of schools and community-based organizations (CBO) as they relate to mental health EBP implementation. We estimated the effects of different aspects of the school and CBO organizational influences on the implementation outcomes identified as most critical to school-based mental health (fidelity, acceptability, appropriateness). We also explored the mechanisms through which inter-organizational alignment influences implementation outcomes. Using a sample that represents the vast majority (>90%) of CBOs in two geographically distinct and diverse regions, we addressed the following aims: Aim 1: Using quantitative methods, estimate the effects of (a) each intra-organizational implementation context (school and CBO) and (b) inter-organizational alignment (IOA) on implementation outcomes. Aim 1a: Estimate the moderating effect of clinicians’ degree of school embeddedness on Aim 1 effects. Aim 2: Using a sequential mixed methods approach, examine the underlying mechanisms through which IOA facilitates or hinders EBP implementation.

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