Institutional complexity in governance networks: The case of energy sector of Pakistan

Contemporary challenges, particularly globalization and use of information technology, have accentuated the need to operate in networks. This trend is penetrating in public administration also with a shift from government to... [ view full abstract ]

Contemporary challenges, particularly globalization and use of information technology, have accentuated the need to operate in networks. This trend is penetrating in public administration also with a shift from government to governance (Teisman and Gerrits, 2014). With this shift, the most prominent feature of modern public administration is presence of web of organizations which are tied with each other in horizontal interdependencies. Working in governance networks is quite challenging for organizations as it exposes organizations to institutional complexity due to diverse demands from different actors. Addressing these issues, this study aims to examine institutional complexity, experienced by public organizations working in governance network. For this purpose, energy sector of Pakistan is taken as case study and Lahore Electricity Supply Company is taken as holistic unit of analysis. The study has found that LESCO is operating in a complex governance network of actors from public, private and non-profit sector. It has high level of dependency on its administrative seniors and regulatory authorities which control major affairs of LESCO. With other public companies in the network, LESCO has high level of interdependency in terms of resource sharing, information sharing and shared responsibilities. LESCO is exposed to institutional complexity due to presence of multiple and conflicting demands coming from diverse actors in its network.
Key words: complexity, network, governance, energy sector, Pakistan