Objective: This thesis aimed to advance the study of sustainability through the exploratory use of a conceptual framework for the investigation of a collaborative project. Methods: A qualitative case study design, utilizing document analysis and key informant interviews, was used to conduct a three-year follow-up of a collaborative mental health project. The study design and directed content analysis were informed by the Scheirer and Dearing (2011) conceptual framework. Results: The sustained outcomes identified by the six participating agencies included: institutionalized project components, maintained client benefits, continued collaboration and sustained attention to the issue. The sustainability of project components was associated with complex interactions between the innovation, organization, and community factors investigated. Conclusions: The study illustrated the importance of evaluating multiple aspects of sustainability to fully capture a project’s long-term effect. Complex systems theory was proposed to describe the interactions observed and as a direction for further development of the conceptual framework.

Objective: This thesis aimed to advance the study of sustainability through the exploratory use of a conceptual framework for the investigation of a collaborative project. Methods: A qualitative case study design, utilizing document analysis and key informant interviews, was used to conduct a three-year follow-up of a collaborative mental health project. The study design and directed content analysis were informed by the Scheirer and Dearing (2011) conceptual framework. Results: The sustained outcomes identified by the six participating agencies included: institutionalized project components, maintained client benefits, continued collaboration and sustained attention to the issue. The sustainability of project components was associated with complex interactions between the innovation, organization, and community factors investigated. Conclusions: The study illustrated the importance of evaluating multiple aspects of sustainability to fully capture a project’s long-term effect. Complex systems theory was proposed to describe the interactions observed and as a direction for further development of the conceptual framework.