Cross organisational cooperation in public networks and clusters engaging the public organisations

Cross organisational networks might promote the processes of relationship building and information exchanging between partners of networks. Networks can be divided into various types: voluntary or formal, public or private,... [ view full abstract ]

Cross organisational networks might promote the processes of relationship building and information exchanging between partners of networks. Networks can be divided into various types: voluntary or formal, public or private, cooperative, coordinative and collaborative, hierarchic or heterarchical (Mandell, Keast, 2007; Cristofoli, Maccio, Pedrazzi, 2011). They also differ significantly in management styles and leadership models (Kenis, Provan, 2009).
The aim of the paper is the assessment of the scope, types, advancements and benefits of cross organisational cooperation, taking into consideration two cases: public networks and specific networks – clusters engaging not only businesses but also public organisations.
This study will attempt to answer the following questions: Is the scope and advancement of cross organisational cooperation in public networks the same as in clusters engaging not only businesses but also public organisations? and Are the benefits of network cooperation similar and symmetrical for all partners in both cases?
In order to solve the research problems, the qualitative research methods will be used. During the first stage, a review of existing world literature shall be conducted, enabling to specify factors having the impact on cross organisational cooperation in public networks and in clusters engaging not only businesses but also public organisations. Furthermore, the analysis of two case studies shall be conducted: voluntary courts network in Poland (established during the pilot project concerning the modern management methods in Polish courts) and Baltic Cluster - Medicon Valley.
The tasks of the paper are the following: review of existing world literature concerning cross organisational cooperation and communication in public networks and in specific networks – clusters; investigation of scope and types of cross organisational cooperation in these networks; identification of benefits resulting from the advancement of network cooperation on the basis of the two case studies: voluntary courts network in Poland and Baltic Cluster - Medicon Valley.
Our studies point to the fact that regardless of the degree of formalisation of the public organisation's networks, the scope and benefits of cross organisational cooperation are lower than in clusters engaging the businesses and public organisations.