Steffie Lucidarme

Pitfalls and Challenges for Trust and Effectiveness in Collaborative Networks

Abstract Collaborative networks in the public and non-profit sector face challenges that are typical for their institutional context. The typical characteristics that might impede the functioning of networks and, in particular, the development of trust and network effectiveness, are related to type of instigation, network flexibility, and power in the form of unbalanced influence and the vertical character of networks. In a sample of 52 networks, the effects of network flexibility, mandatory and vertical networks, and influence on trust and network effectiveness were studied. Findings indicated that particularly flexibility in networks was important and that cognition-based trust played a central role in obtaining effective networks.

A Comparative Study of Health Promotion Networks: Configurations of determinants for network effectiveness

Abstract Collaborative public networks have become increasingly important as policy tools to address complex social and health problems. However, despite the broad literature on network effectiveness, there is still insufficient insight into the different determinants of whole network effectiveness, and particularly on how these determinants are related. Based on an empirical comparison of 13 mature networks, this study identified potential environment, structural, and management determinants. Moreover, configurations of the identified determinants leading to network effectiveness were generated using configurational comparative methods. We gained insights into how configurations of determinants impacted network effectiveness and found a dominance of structural and managerial determinants.

Capacity building through cross-sector partnerships: a multiple case study of a sport program in disadvantaged communities in Belgium.

BackgroundRecent research has illustrated the need for cross-sector partnerships to tackle multidimensional problems such as health inequalities and sport and physical activity promotion. Capacity building is based on partnerships and has demonstrated effectiveness in tackling these multidimensional problems. This study aims to explain how cross-sector partnerships build capacity at the practitioner, organisational and partnership levels. The subject of this study is a community sport program (CSP) that aims to increase sport participation rates and physical activity levels.MethodsThe study examined multiple cases in four disadvantaged communities in Antwerp, Belgium where the CSP was implemented. Forty-four face-to-face interviews were held with leaders from sport, social, health, culture and youth organisations that collaborated with the CSP.ResultsThirteen elements of cross-sector partnerships were identified as critical to building capacity at each of the different levels. These include: process evaluation, trust, mutuality, policy support, partner complementarity and fit, diversity of activities and period of collaboration-time. Trust in turn was fostered by a longer period of collaboration-time, better personal contact, clearer coordination and an external focus. Policy support was developed by support of partners and establishing clear metrics of success.ConclusionInsight into the key elements of cross-sector partnerships that build capacity is given and several practical recommendations are suggested for practitioners and policy makers.

Governmental power in elite sport networks: a resource-dependency perspective

ABSTRACT Research question: The contemporary elite sport policy arena is highly complicated with a plethora of stakeholders relying on each other to reach their shared goal of international sporting success. Interactions among stakeholders have a large impact on outcomes. Therefore, these interactions are crucial to analyze when examining elite sport policy implementation. This study draws from network theory and resource-dependency theory to gain an understanding of the governance of elite sport networks by analyzing the impact of resource dependency and power dispersion on two collaborative processes, decision-making and coordination. Research methods: An empirical qualitative study was conducted within the Flemish sport context. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 64 respondents. Results and findings: Decision-making in the elite sport network was mainly influenced by the large power ascendancy of the government agency. Coordination was streamlined through clear administrative procedures to overcome distrust. However, coordination issues were often the result of power plays between network partners. Some interesting instruments were revealed that enhanced legitimacy and trust in the network; namely, leveraging expertise and knowledge; engaging in collaborative goal setting; establishing a task force; and engaging in co-optation tactics. Implementation: This research adds to the collaborative network literature by explicitly linking perceptions of power and resource-dependency to the decision-making and coordination processes. The results contribute to research on elite sport by bringing insights into the relationships among resource-dependency, power, decision-making and coordination; and into the usefulness of the instruments to handle potential pitfalls inherent to these relationships.