Vidar Stevens

How to Manage Collaborative Policy Innovation Networks? Practical Lessons from a Flemish Coastal Protection Initiative

Collaborative policy innovation networks are increasingly used as vehicles for fostering innovative policy solutions. However, scholars have noted that the extent to which collaborative networks can actually contribute to the development of innovative policy solutions depends on how they are managed. Empirical research on the management of collaborative policy innovation networks has so far been limited. Therefore, a case is reviewed to add new insights to the link between collaboration, management, and policy innovation. Specifically, the management strategies are examined which helped a Flemish administrative network to develop a radical new Coastal Protection Policy Plan. This study shows that a clear procedural groundwork, playful mediating strategies, and a good people knowledge help network managers to facilitate the development of innovative policy solutions in a collaborative network.

Discussion: The Network Manager as Therapist

Collaborative networks are by governments increasingly used as vehicles for fostering concerted and innovative policy solutions. Scholars have, however, noted that the extent to which collaborative networks can actually contribute to the development of concerted and innovative policy action depends on how they are managed. Within the network management literature, we know already various roles a manager can perform to bring about ‘collaborative advantages’ in collaborative networks. Yet, in this article, I would like to present another role – that of the network manager as therapist – which can help actors in collaborative networks to deal with their discomforts they experience when participating in network processes.

A road map for explorative scenario creation on Belgian rail freight transport development

The starting point of this article is the weak usage of rail freight in Belgium and Europe, both as a sustainable mode of land transportation in itself as well as a part of the intermodal chain. The results are obtained by transversal research on rail freight transport in Belgium, taking into account the European context. This interdisciplinary research develops a road map for the creation of three integrated scenarios: a best case, medium case and worst case scenario for rail freight development, based on a detailed SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) analysis. It includes the most probable future developments for rail freight transport and hinterland connections. These developments are obtained from literature review and discussions with a heterogeneous panel of experts in the fields of (i) optimal corridor and hub development, (ii) macroeconomic impact, (iii) sustainability, (iv) effective market regulation and (v) governance and organization for a well-functioning intermodality. The Delphi approach is used in combination with a survey analysis. Frequency tables and the H-index allow defining a ranking and selection of SWOT elements. The obtained scenarios allow future research to quantify and measure the impact of future developments and decisions towards the Belgian rail freight market.