Are We Treating Networks Seriously? The Growth of Network Research in Public Administration & Public Policy

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore how the term ‘network’ is used in public administration and public policy. Since O’Toole (1997) first called for scholars of public administration and policy to “[treat] networks seriously,” a growing number of researchers use the term network as if it is a rising fashion trend. A recent article by Berry et al (2004) in Public Administration Review “Three Traditions of Network Research”, illustrates this trend. This article empirically examines the influence of a few prominent scholars on network research over the last decade. Subgroups of network research articles and authors in the citation network are also identified to illustrate the subtopics in network research and to probe what the term network means in these studies. The goal of this research is, in part, to answer Rethemeyer’s (2005) call for an empirical examination of network management. Secondly, this article aims to advance the understanding and use of methodology in the public administration discipline by showcasing the use of citation network analysis.