Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance
The central undertaking in this thesis is to explore the explanatory power of the concept of policy networks. The main question is whether there is a relation between the structural features of policy networks and their performance? Does network structure matter for network performance, and in that...
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Luleå tekniska universitet, Samhällsvetenskap
2004
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ftluleatu:oai:DiVA.org:ltu-18073 2023-05-15T17:09:16+02:00 Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance Sandström, Annica 2004 application/pdf http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18073 eng eng Luleå tekniska universitet, Samhällsvetenskap Luleå Licentiate thesis / Luleå University of Technology, 1402-1757 2004:19 http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18073 Local 6b3b2e70-c1df-11db-9ea3-000ea68e967b info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalisation Studies) Statsvetenskap (exklusive studier av offentlig förvaltning och globaliseringsstudier) Licentiate thesis, monograph info:eu-repo/semantics/masterThesis text 2004 ftluleatu 2022-10-25T20:53:35Z The central undertaking in this thesis is to explore the explanatory power of the concept of policy networks. The main question is whether there is a relation between the structural features of policy networks and their performance? Does network structure matter for network performance, and in that case, in what sense? In order to investigate the relationship between structure and performance, five implementation networks, engaged in inter-organizational collaboration with the task to create multidisciplinary units, at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), are studied. Each network is analyzed regarding both structural properties and performances. First, network performance is measured by the level of effectiveness and innovation. Next, the structural features of the implementation networks are measured. Drawing upon previous work of Burt, the structural analysis is based on the examination of two specific network mechanisms, namely network closure and global structural holes. Basically, while the former refers to the degree of interconnectedness, the latter considers the extent to which the actors span global structural holes, meaning that they have contacts reaching outside the network in focus. A positive relation between the two above mentioned mechanisms and performance is proposed. The empirical analysis confirms the assumption that there is a relation between structure and performance. While the existence of global structural holes is a necessity for innovative networks to form, their level of effectiveness is positively related to the degree of network closure. Following this, an innovative network is a network in which the actors are tightly connected and, at the same time, have many connections to other actors, engaged in other network constellations. Further, on the basis of the empirical findings, two new hypotheses, specifying the relationship between structure and performance, are suggested. Firstly, it is proposed that the function of prioritizing, so vital for the process of organizing, is ... Master Thesis Luleå Luleå Luleå Luleå University of Technology Publications (DiVA) |
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Open Polar |
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Luleå University of Technology Publications (DiVA) |
op_collection_id |
ftluleatu |
language |
English |
topic |
Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalisation Studies) Statsvetenskap (exklusive studier av offentlig förvaltning och globaliseringsstudier) |
spellingShingle |
Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalisation Studies) Statsvetenskap (exklusive studier av offentlig förvaltning och globaliseringsstudier) Sandström, Annica Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
topic_facet |
Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalisation Studies) Statsvetenskap (exklusive studier av offentlig förvaltning och globaliseringsstudier) |
description |
The central undertaking in this thesis is to explore the explanatory power of the concept of policy networks. The main question is whether there is a relation between the structural features of policy networks and their performance? Does network structure matter for network performance, and in that case, in what sense? In order to investigate the relationship between structure and performance, five implementation networks, engaged in inter-organizational collaboration with the task to create multidisciplinary units, at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), are studied. Each network is analyzed regarding both structural properties and performances. First, network performance is measured by the level of effectiveness and innovation. Next, the structural features of the implementation networks are measured. Drawing upon previous work of Burt, the structural analysis is based on the examination of two specific network mechanisms, namely network closure and global structural holes. Basically, while the former refers to the degree of interconnectedness, the latter considers the extent to which the actors span global structural holes, meaning that they have contacts reaching outside the network in focus. A positive relation between the two above mentioned mechanisms and performance is proposed. The empirical analysis confirms the assumption that there is a relation between structure and performance. While the existence of global structural holes is a necessity for innovative networks to form, their level of effectiveness is positively related to the degree of network closure. Following this, an innovative network is a network in which the actors are tightly connected and, at the same time, have many connections to other actors, engaged in other network constellations. Further, on the basis of the empirical findings, two new hypotheses, specifying the relationship between structure and performance, are suggested. Firstly, it is proposed that the function of prioritizing, so vital for the process of organizing, is ... |
format |
Master Thesis |
author |
Sandström, Annica |
author_facet |
Sandström, Annica |
author_sort |
Sandström, Annica |
title |
Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
title_short |
Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
title_full |
Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
title_fullStr |
Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
title_full_unstemmed |
Innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
title_sort |
innovative policy networks : the relation between structure and performance |
publisher |
Luleå tekniska universitet, Samhällsvetenskap |
publishDate |
2004 |
url |
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18073 |
genre |
Luleå Luleå Luleå |
genre_facet |
Luleå Luleå Luleå |
op_relation |
Licentiate thesis / Luleå University of Technology, 1402-1757 2004:19 http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18073 Local 6b3b2e70-c1df-11db-9ea3-000ea68e967b |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
_version_ |
1766065270615441408 |