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Organizing the connection - An evaluation of network effectiveness in the field of mobility, in networks the province of Gelderland participated in.

Oort, L.A.(Bart) van (2011) Organizing the connection - An evaluation of network effectiveness in the field of mobility, in networks the province of Gelderland participated in.

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Abstract:In this thesis an evaluation is made of the performance of network effectiveness in the field of mobility, in networks the province of Gelderland participated in. This evaluation is of practical relevance, having seen the characteristics of mobility issues. Due to the high specificity and complexity of mobility issues, the hierarchical and market forms of governance are, in contrast to networks, not able to manage such issues. In addition, the Provincial Executive (Gedeputeerde Staten) of Gelderland formulated the desire to fulfil the provincial role as a partner instead of more traditional forms of governance. Therefore an examination is made in this thesis on the effectiveness of network governance in the field of mobility. We will examine if the current use of network governance of the province of Gelderland is successful, in order to enable them to use networks as mode of governance in an effective way. Having seen the characteristics of network governance, governance within networks is problematic. Relationships in networks are defined less clearly than relationships in hierarchies and markets. Therefore, when networks are used problems in the adaptation, coordination and safeguarding of activities occur. As a consequence the organization of governance in networks can be arranged in several ways. In this thesis we focussed on the structure of association between network members. Because of this we used three modes of governance in networks based on the literature of Provan & Kenis (2007): shared governance, lead organization governed networks and network administrative organization (NAO) governed networks. According to Provan & Kenis (2007) there are four conditions of network effectiveness: trust, number of network participants, goal consensus and need for network-level competencies. The extent to which the values on the conditions of network effectiveness and the ideal typical values on the conditions for the mode of governance in networks correspond, gives us information about the expected network effectiveness. We tested this theoretical rationale on two cases of the province of Gelderland in the field of mobility, the ‘Wegennetvisie Rivierenland-Midden’ and the ‘A1-capaciteitsuitbreiding’. Based on these cases, we conclude that the way network governance is structured in the province of Gelderland in the field of mobility is related to the extent of network effectiveness. Furthermore, based on our results we conclude that the more the values on the conditions of network effectiveness and the ideal typical values on those conditions for the mode of governance in networks correspond, the higher the expected effectiveness of network governance will be. After having drawn this conclusion, it seems suitable to advice the province of Gelderland to improve its performance with regard to network effectiveness, by organizing network governance in such a way that the mode of governance in networks corresponds as much as possible with the matching conditions of network effectiveness for that mode of governance in networks. Furthermore the province of Gelderland has to make administrative frames explicit in order to gain trust of other organizations involved and to more easily come to a common goal together with the other organizations. In addition, if possible the province of Gelderland should avoid the hierarchical instruments and put them aside when using the network approach. This is also expected to enhance trust at the other organizations. Finally we advised the province of Gelderland to delegate a Provincial Executive instead of a civil servant in the steering committee, in order to enhance the credibility of both the underlying project and of the position of Gelderland in general.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
Provincie Gelderland
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:88 social and public administration
Programme:Public Administration MSc (60020)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/62090
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