This literature review focuses on the potential for creating a formal multi-state cooperative extension among New England land-grant universities and makes recommendations concerning the structure and operational characteristics of such a consortium. The review examines the following areas: interorganizational cooperation/collaboration; characteristics of an educational consortia; organization theory and collaboration; consortium management and coordination; the importance of institutional and administrative support; the compatibility of consortia in academia; the impacts on efficiency, costs savings; program quality; funding support for consortiums; and collaboration in the extension system. Also included is a list of conclusions resulting from the literature review about the cooperative extension system from which the importance of five guidelines are stressed: (1) clarity of consortium goals; (2) participants' perception of program; (3) program governance; (4) involvement and empowerment of the governing board; and (5) the importance of leadership. Contains a 40-item bibliography. (GLR)