Intra-organisational collaboration in one UK university: potential for change or missed opportunity

Purpose – The paper aims to examine the promotion of intra-organisational collaboration within a university setting. Design/methodology/approach – An ethnographic approach influenced by a phenomenographic framework of analysis was used. Findings – Content analysis of qualitative data resulted in 11 overlapping themes being identified in respect of collaboration. Final analysis led to the identification of four hierarchically inclusive degrees of collaboration. Research limitations/implications – The research, whilst based within one UK university, raises important conceptual as well as practical questions. Practical implications – The implications of this paper have relevance for the ways in which universities and other agencies promote intra- as well as inter-departmental (or agency) working. Originality/value – By using the framework developed it is possible to see parallels across different professional and agency settings