Managing successful networks: the case of intermunicipality collaboration in Switzerland

The paper aims to explore the existence of interaction between the context, structure, functioning and management of public networks and look into their joint effect on network performance. The results cast new light on the "dark side" of public network management. In particular, they show the existence of a relationship between network structure and network functioning and management, thus emphasizing their joint effect on network performance. Finally, they highlight the key role, in network success, played by the personal relationships between people in the partner organizations.