Researching Networks and Collaboration in the Public Sector ― A Guide to Approaches, Methodologies and Analytics

Networks and other collaborations are central to the public sector’s ability to respond to their diverse responsibilities, from international development and regional governance, to policy development and service provision. Great strides have been made towards understanding their formation, governance, and management, but more opportunities to explore methodologies and measures is required to ensure they are properly understood.

This volume showcases an array of selected research methodologies and analytic tools that scholars and practitioners employ to examine networked arrangements and practices. Although it cannot attempt to capture all technical details for each one, this book provides a unique catalogue of compelling methods for researchers and practitioners, and discusses each specifically in the context of collaborative arrangements and network structures and how these are applied in practice.

By bringing together leading and upcoming scholars in network research, the book offers a state of the art overview of the range and scope of current methods and tools, as well as emerging styles of empirical investigation. It will be of enormous assistance in guiding students and scholars in public management to study collaboration and networks empirically by demonstrating the core research approaches and tools for investigating and evaluating these crucially important arrangements.

Dr. Joris Voets is assistant professor in public management at the Department of Public Governance, Management & Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Ghent (Belgium). His research focuses on management and performance of intergovernmental networks. He also trains practitioners in network management and regularly provides expert advice to public and social-profit organisations.

Dr. Robyn Keast is a Professor in the Business School, Southern Cross University and Chair of the Collaborative Research Network for Policy and Planning in Regional Sustainability. Her diverse research portfolio includes governance, government/community relations, community and regional development social and public policy and management, asset and infrastructure management, construction and innovation: all with a particular emphasis on networked arrangements and collaborative practice and is the co-author of three books.

Dr. Christopher J. Koliba, is a Professor in the Community Development and Applied Economics Department at the University of Vermont (UVM) and the Director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. He is a Fulbright Scholar, conducting research at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, during the spring of 2015. His current research program focuses on the development of complex adaptive systems models and network analysis of watershed management networks, regulatory networks, food systems, transportation planning networks, energy distribution networks and health care service delivery critical care pathways.