To read this content please select one of the options below:

The Development of the Governance of Regulatory Networks: The Case of the European Telecommunications Regulatory Network

Mechanisms, Roles and Consequences of Governance: Emerging Issues

ISBN: 978-1-78350-705-4, eISBN: 978-1-78350-706-1

Publication date: 19 July 2014

Abstract

Purpose of this Paper

Networks are by now popular inter-organizational coordination modes. However, there is still much to know regarding how networks are governed and how their governance develops and changes through time.

Design/Methodology/Approach

This paper addresses the research question how does the governance form of networks develops over time by empirically studying the European telecommunications regulatory network using a case study approach.

Findings

We find that the network’s governance system is determined by the dialectical tension between network members (National Regulatory Agencies) and an external very influential body (the European Commission).

This tension unifies the group in the classic external conflict–internal cohesion fashion. We also identify a second dialectical tension internal to the network among its members. The tensions are triggered by evaluations carried out by an external actor (the European Commission). In general, the process observed confirms the propositions that predict a formalizing of the governance as the network grows older.

Research limitations/Implications

This research is based on a single case, a broader analysis of other regulatory networks among network industries at the European Union level will help researchers to establish a more comprehensive picture on the development of the governance form of this specific subset of goal-directed networks.

Keywords

Citation

Saz-Carranza, A., Longo, F. and Iborra, S.S. (2014), "The Development of the Governance of Regulatory Networks: The Case of the European Telecommunications Regulatory Network", Mechanisms, Roles and Consequences of Governance: Emerging Issues (Studies in Public and Non-Profit Governance, Vol. 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 89-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-663020140000002003

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited