Title
The Effects of Boundary Spanners on Trust and Performance of Urban Governance Networks
Author
van Meerkerk, I.
Edelenbos, J.
Publication year
2012
Abstract
Previous research has extensively analyzed the role, and indicated the importance, of network management for the functioning and performance of public or governance networks. In this article, we focus on the influence of boundary spanning actors in such networks – an aspect less examined in the governance network literature. Boundary spanners are considered to be important for governance network performances. Building on the literature, we expect a mediating role of trust in this relationship. To empirically test these relationships, we conducted survey research (N=141) among project managers involved in urban governance networks. We found a strong positive relationship between the presence of boundary spanners on the one hand, and trust and governance network performances on the other hand. The results indicate a partially mediating role of trust in this relationship. Furthermore, we found that these boundary spanners originated mainly from private and societal organizations, and less from governmental organizations.
Subject
GI Innovation in Behaviour / Gedrag en Innovatie
ETP - Enabling Technology Programs
Innovation
Boundary spanning
Governance networks
Network performance
Trust
ETP Complexe systemen
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TNO identifier
490693
Document type
other