Structure, Mechanisms, and Managers in Successful Networks

Since public networks became widespread, doubts have arisen over how to make them succeed. Scholars have traditionally addressed the issue in different ways, thus variously shedding light on the network structure, mechanisms, or managers as predictors of the network performance. The aim of our artic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public management review 2015-04, Vol.17 (4), p.489-516
Main Authors: Cristofoli, Daniela, Macciò, Laura, Pedrazzi, Laura
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Collaboration
Data collection
Management theory
Managers
network performance
Networks
Public administration
Public management
Public networks
Social interaction
Social networks
Studies
Switzerland
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Summary:Since public networks became widespread, doubts have arisen over how to make them succeed. Scholars have traditionally addressed the issue in different ways, thus variously shedding light on the network structure, mechanisms, or managers as predictors of the network performance. The aim of our article is to explore the possibility of an interaction effect between the abovementioned factors. Our results show that there may be a relationship between network structure, mechanisms, and managers that jointly affects network performance. Therefore, important suggestions can be made about how to manage public networks successfully: (1) ensure that your network mechanisms and managerial abilities are coherent with the structure of your network; and (2) if you are in a well-established and integrated network, allow yourself some flexibility. Data were collected through a multiple case study that focused on collaboration for joint provision of home care services in Switzerland.
ISSN:1471-9037
1471-9045
DOI:10.1080/14719037.2013.798025