External managerial networking in meta-organizations. Evidence from regional councils in Norway. Issue 9 (1st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zyzak, Barbara; Jacobsen, Dag Ingvar
• Is Part Of: Public management review. Volume 22:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 1347
• Page End: 1367
• Publication Date: 2020-09-01
• Subjects: Managerial networking -- meta-organization -- capacity -- public sector -- municipality; Local government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2019.1632922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-9037

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Municipalities increasingly engage in cooperation with other municipalities to realize economies of scale and scope, to solve 'wicked problems' and to manage border crossing challenges. Often, such cooperation is manifested in rather formalized meta-organizations, with their own resources, employees and management. In this study, we map managers' networking capabilities, more specifically the intensity of their external networking abilities. Furthermore, we aim to understand the effects of both manager and organizational characteristics on external networking. The empirical study focuses on a political-administrative meta-organization, regional councils in Norway. The findings display the importance of 'capacity' for external managerial networking.