The impact of institutional, instrumental and interpersonal underpinnings on network dynamics and outcomes

Abstract

Networks form a key part of the infrastructure of contemporary governance
arrangements and, as such, are likely to continue for some time. Networks can take
many forms and be formed for many reasons. Some networks have been explicitly
designed to generate a collective response to an issue; some arise from a top down
perspective through mandate or coercion; while others rely more heavily on
interpersonal relations and doing the right thing. In this paper, these three different
perspectives are referred to as the “3I”s: Instrumental, Institutional or Interpersonal.

It is proposed that these underlying motivations will affect the process dynamics
within the different types of networks in different ways and therefore influence the
type of outcomes achieved. This proposition is tested through a number of case
studies. An understanding of these differences will lead to more effective design,
management and clearer expectations of what can be achieved through networks.