Netwerkeffectiviteit binnen intergemeentelijke samenwerking. Een casestudie naar de (netwerk)effectiviteit binnen de Regionale Sociale Dienst de Liemers en de Regionale ICT en Inkoopdienst De Liemers.

In 2010, the Liemerse municipalities (Westervoort, Duiven, Zevenaar and Rijnwaarden) adopted mutual rules in which the establishment was equipped for the Regional Social Services (RSD) and the Regional ICT and Procurement service centre (RID). Scientific journals - such as ‘Public Administration’ and the ‘Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory’ – in recent years have paid much attention to the theme of networks in the public sector. This is not only a phenomenon in the Netherlands, it is also seen in many other countries. Research In 1997, O'Toole wrote in the magazine Public Administration Review (O'Toole jr., 1997, p. 45) that networking should be taken seriously. Although there is increasing attention in the scientific research, according Turini et al. (Turini, 2010, p. 528) there is a lack of an all-embracing theory when it comes to network efficiency and the associated factors. The image is very diffuse. Research has also lagged behind practice because such an evaluation is perceived as highly complex. Although network activities are described and conceptualized, there is little empirical research which shows the impact of these activities on the functioning of the network or the effect. There are gaps in the literature on this subject (Turini, 2010, p. 529). Effectiveness Effectiveness has proved a difficult concept. What is effectiveness within a network, and for whom do you measure this effectiveness. There are issues here to conceptualize and create measurable understanding (Provan & Kenis, 2007, p. 252).Provan and Milward have laid the groundwork in 1995 for a number of conceptual boundaries within network effectiveness (Turini, 2010, p. 533). Subsequently, in a broader investigation Turini et al. pushed these limits with some additional concepts (Turini, 2010, p. 534). Central question Within the study, the following central question has been formulated; ‘To what extent do the influencing factors 'cohesion and supporting environment ','integration of mechanisms and tools', and 'buffering instability and nurturing stability’ explain network efficiency of the RID and RSD, specifically when it comes to the ability to achieve set goals?’ To explain these determinants, a set of propositions was formulated. Results and answers To answer this question several interviews took place and a survey was executed. From this empirical study it is concluded that ‘cohesion and a supporting environment’ has to be seen as very important. However, there is no clear idea what factors of this have an effect on the current network effectiveness. Looking at the cause of this, it can be traced back to the fact that in particular the component of 'trust' is rarely or not measured in the beginning of an partnership so there is no clear picture of the level of confidence beforehand and afterwards. The factors 'integration of mechanisms and tools' and 'buffering instability and nurturing stability’ explain that there is network efficiency resulting in the ability to achieve established goals. Especially when it comes to the manner of managing and having a stable working environment it is a very important factor. These are in the study also more objectively measurable items. In conclusion: the determinants "cohesion and support of the environment ','integration of mechanisms and tools' and 'buffering instability and nurturing promote stability' lead to network effectiveness and therefore the ability to achieve goals. However there can be subjective characteristics so the picture can become blurred and the past and the present cannot always be seen in isolation from each other