On April 11th until 13th, 2012 the 16th Annual Conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM), based on the theme “Contradictions in Public Management. Managing in volatile times”, was taking place at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Dr. Mila Gascó-Hernández, researcher at the Institute of Governance and Public Management at ESADE and a member of COMPOSITE country team Spain, participated in panel 15 “Empirical Research on Collaboration as a Management Strategy”. For more information see conference website: http://www.irspm2012.com/index.shtml.