Which works better? Comparing the environmental outcomes of different forms of intergovernmental collaboration in China's air pollution control

While collaborative governance has been widely applied to address environmental problems, little is known about the environmental outcomes of collaborations. Drawing on the institutional collective action (ICA) framework, this study constructs a framework that links different forms of collaboration, defined by different levels of central intervention, to environmental outcomes. We argue that the outcome of a particular form of collaboration is a function of its effectiveness and the level of complexity the collaboration faces. When the effectiveness of a collaboration form matches the complexity faced by the collaboration, it is more likely to achieve better environmental outcomes. Using city-level air quality data and the weighted fixed effect difference-in-difference approach, we find results that strongly support our arguments. This research contributes to the understanding of the environmental outcomes of collaborations and provides practical insights for public managers to design intergovernmental collaborations.