Treating Networks Seriously: Practical and Research-Based Agendas in Public Administration

Treating Networks Seriously: Practical and Research-Based Agendas in Public Administration

January/February 1997 | Laurence J. O'Toole, Jr.
The article discusses the increasing importance of networked structures in public administration and the need for scholars and practitioners to address this aspect. Public administration is increasingly conducted in networked environments where multiple organizations interact and rely on each other. Traditional hierarchical models are not always effective in such settings, and conventional theories may be counterproductive. Scholars are urged to conduct research that illuminates the complexities of networked administration. The author outlines practical and research-based agendas for addressing this need. Networks are characterized by interdependence among organizations, and administrators cannot rely on formal authority to exert influence. Managing in networked settings requires adapting to the complexity and unpredictability of such environments. The article highlights the growing role of networks in public administration, driven by factors such as privatization, policy complexity, and the need for coordination among diverse actors. The article also discusses the challenges of managing networked settings, including the difficulty of predicting outcomes and the need for new theoretical frameworks. It emphasizes the importance of understanding network structures, their impact on performance, and the development of effective management strategies. The article suggests that current scholarship in public administration has not adequately addressed the networked nature of modern administration, and there is a need for more research and practical guidance. The article outlines several research agendas, including the need for systematic studies of networked contexts, the development of theoretical models that incorporate network features, and the exploration of normative issues in networked settings. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the implications of networked structures for public policy, management, and ethics. The author concludes that treating networks seriously is essential for effective public administration, and that this requires both practical and scholarly efforts to adapt to the changing landscape of public administration.The article discusses the increasing importance of networked structures in public administration and the need for scholars and practitioners to address this aspect. Public administration is increasingly conducted in networked environments where multiple organizations interact and rely on each other. Traditional hierarchical models are not always effective in such settings, and conventional theories may be counterproductive. Scholars are urged to conduct research that illuminates the complexities of networked administration. The author outlines practical and research-based agendas for addressing this need. Networks are characterized by interdependence among organizations, and administrators cannot rely on formal authority to exert influence. Managing in networked settings requires adapting to the complexity and unpredictability of such environments. The article highlights the growing role of networks in public administration, driven by factors such as privatization, policy complexity, and the need for coordination among diverse actors. The article also discusses the challenges of managing networked settings, including the difficulty of predicting outcomes and the need for new theoretical frameworks. It emphasizes the importance of understanding network structures, their impact on performance, and the development of effective management strategies. The article suggests that current scholarship in public administration has not adequately addressed the networked nature of modern administration, and there is a need for more research and practical guidance. The article outlines several research agendas, including the need for systematic studies of networked contexts, the development of theoretical models that incorporate network features, and the exploration of normative issues in networked settings. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the implications of networked structures for public policy, management, and ethics. The author concludes that treating networks seriously is essential for effective public administration, and that this requires both practical and scholarly efforts to adapt to the changing landscape of public administration.
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[slides and audio] Treating networks seriously%3A Practical and research-based agendas in public administration