University of North Texas 
Collective Solutions Lab
Advancing collective solutions for social services & network governance.
Led by Dr. Hee Soun Jang, the Collective Solutions Lab focuses on collective action and network governance as ways to address critical social
service challenges, such as homelessness. The lab's research explores public-private
(nonprofit and for-profit) partnerships and how they develop effective strategies
for resource-sharing and coordination of activities. We take an interdisciplinary
approach to finding innovative solutions for service delivery, seeking to enhance
the sustainability of individual nonprofits and networks of organizations that assist
vulnerable populations.
Dr. Jang and her team have published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and grant-funded reports on their research. They also have presented talks at leading conferences, such as ARNOVA and ASPA, about homelessness and network governance and performance.
Selected publications
Book
Dr. Hee Soun Jang, Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of North Texas.
Affiliated members:
Dr. Jesus Valero, Associate Professor, Division of Public Affairs, University of Utah
Dr. Jihoon Jeong, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Public Administration,Texas A&M International University
Dr. Jintak Kim, Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas.
UNT doctoral students
Sara Ford, Jenisa RC, Aparajita Sengupta and Rajan Subedi
Additional team members
Undergraduate and graduate students and collaborator and professionals working in public and nonprofit agencies who work to develop data-driven insights and case studies in the social services field.
Grants and Funding
The Collective Solutions Lab has received significant funding the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, IBM Center for the Business of Government, and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. Key projects include examining the impact of COVID-19 on homeless service networks in cities and assessing urban blight in Dallas. These grants underscore the lab’s commitment to research that makes a difference in the region and beyond.
Dr. Jang and her team have published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and grant-funded reports on their research. They also have presented talks at leading conferences, such as ARNOVA and ASPA, about homelessness and network governance and performance.
Selected publications
Book
- Jang, H. & Valero, J. 2023. Public-Nonprofit Collaboration and Policy in Homeless Services. Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11918-7
- Jang, H. Valero, J., & Ford*, S. 2023. Homeless Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Revisiting Salamon’s Voluntary Failure Theory. Nonprofit Policy Forum. July.
- Jang, H, Dicke, L., Keyes, L., Shi, Y., & Kim, J*. 2021. Responding to the Needs of the Homeless in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of Initiatives in 20 Major U.S. Cities. International Journal of Public Administration. Most Cited Articles in the Past 3 years at IJPA: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/lpad20
- Shi, Y, Jang, H. Keyes, L., & Dicke, L. 2020. “Nonprofit Service Continuity and Responses in the Pandemic: Disruptions, Ambiguity, Innovation and Challenges.” Public Administration Review. October.
- Valero, J. N, Lee, D., & Jang, H. 2020. Public-Nonprofit Collaboration in Homeless Services: Are Nonprofit-Led Networks More Effective in Winning Federal Funding? Administration and Society. August.
- Valero, J.N., & Jang, H. 2020. The Effect of Leadership Style on Network Performance: A Study of Leadership Impact on Homeless Networks” Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs. Vol. 6. No. 3. 303-352.
- Valero, J. N, Jang, H., & Dicke, L. 2020. “Understanding Leadership Development Through Mentoring: An Examination of Mentoring in Public Service Internships.” International Journal of Research in Business and Management.
- Jang, H. Andrew, S.A., Jeon, Y., Ukwandi, K., & Arlikatti, S. 2023. How Has Blight Changed in the City of Dallas?: An Examination of the Last Ten Years. Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.
- Jang, H., Valero, J*., & Jung. K*. 2016. “Effective Leadership in Network Collaboration: Lessons Learned from Continuum of Care Homeless Programs.” IBM Center for the Business of Government.
Dr. Hee Soun Jang, Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of North Texas.
Affiliated members:
Dr. Jesus Valero, Associate Professor, Division of Public Affairs, University of Utah
Dr. Jihoon Jeong, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Public Administration,Texas A&M International University
Dr. Jintak Kim, Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas.
UNT doctoral students
Sara Ford, Jenisa RC, Aparajita Sengupta and Rajan Subedi
Additional team members
Undergraduate and graduate students and collaborator and professionals working in public and nonprofit agencies who work to develop data-driven insights and case studies in the social services field.
Grants and Funding
The Collective Solutions Lab has received significant funding the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, IBM Center for the Business of Government, and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. Key projects include examining the impact of COVID-19 on homeless service networks in cities and assessing urban blight in Dallas. These grants underscore the lab’s commitment to research that makes a difference in the region and beyond.
- "Assessing Changes in the Composite Blight Index in the City of Dallas, TX.” Hee Soun Jang (PI) with Simon Andrew (Co-PI). Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity ($55,985). 2022-2023.
- “Understanding the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Continuum of Care Homeless Service Networks (CoCs).” Hee Soun Jang (PI) with Jesus Valero (Co-PI). Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ($200,000). 2020-2023
- “A Study of a Cross-Sector Collaboration System for the Homeless: The Case of Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Networks.” Hee Soun Jang (Co-PI) with Jesus Valero (PI). Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ($100,000). 2018