Network Governance : Concepts, Theories, and Applications

This book examines key concepts of network governance in public administration, synthesizes the growing body of literature, and bridges the theory-practice gap by exploring network applications.

Although network governance has received greater attention within the fields of public administration and policy in recent years, few books are designed specifically to help students, researchers, and practitioners examine key concepts, synthesize the growing body of literature into reliable frameworks, and to bridge the theory–practice gap by exploring network applications. Network Governance: Concepts, Theories, and Applications, Second Edition fills this important gap, offering a systematic examination of existing knowledge, while also exploring the applications of networks in a variety of management and policy domains. Authors Naim Kapucu and Qian Hu begin with a thorough overview of the key concepts in networks and network analysis before moving into more advanced concepts including network leadership and management, network performance and evaluation, power and decision-making, and legitimacy and accountability issues. The authors then provide examples of network governance applications in diverse contexts, ranging from community and economic development to human and social services, virtual environments, and emergency and crisis management. This substantially revised second edition offers an integrated framework and methodologies to address contemporary challenges, as well as the growing demand for practical tools and actionable insights in the field, including advances in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cross-sector collaboration. This new edition responds to these developments by integrating cutting-edge research, tools, practical applications, and innovative pedagogical approaches. An all-new chapter dedicated to network analysis and detailed steps for analyzing network data using R programming is included. PowerPoint slides and a sample syllabus are available for adopters on an accompanying website, making this second edition ideal for courses on network governance, collaborative public management, cross-sector governance, and collaboration and partnerships in programs of public administration, public affairs, and public policy.