DO NETWORKS REALLY WORK?: A FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING PUBLIC-SECTOR ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORKS.

Abstract

This paper discusses the evaluation of networks of community-based, mostly publicly funded health, human service, and public welfare organizations. Consistent with pressures to perform effectively by a broad range of stakeholders, we argue that networks must be evaluated at three levels of analysis; community, network, and organization/participant levels. These three levels of analysis are closely related but each has its own set of effectiveness criteria that must be considered. We outline these criteria, discussing how effectiveness at one level of network analysis may or may not match effectiveness criteria at another level. We also discuss the importance of key stakeholders and how multiple constituents may be satisfied through the formation and maintenance of service delivery networks.