Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

A network can be defined in the most general sense as “a group of interdependent actors and the relationships among them” ( Mingus 2007 :601). In a more abstract sense, a network can be thought of as a set of nodes linked by a web of interdependencies. Central to both these broad definitions is that a “network” is an organizational structure which is an amalgam of structure and agency, and cannot be defined solely by reference either to its actors or to the nature of relationships between them. The concept of networks embraces a wide spectrum of theoretical interpretations and critical applications across different disciplines, including political science (governance networks, policy networks, public administration networks, social movement networks, intergovernmental networks); sociology and anthropology (social networks); economics and business (trade networks); mathematics (social networks through the use of sociograms); computing (computer networks, information networks, neural networks); geography and history. From an international perspective, networks describe contemporary forms of societal governance. During the last decade, both state regulation and competitive market regulation models have been questioned as to their ability to respond to the challenges of contemporary forms of public governance and policy-making. Governance networks have been proposed as alternative ... log in or subscribe to read full text