Discussion: The Network Manager as Therapist

Abstract

Collaborative networks are by governments increasingly used as vehicles for fostering concerted and innovative policy solutions. Scholars have, however, noted that the extent to which collaborative networks can actually contribute to the development of concerted and innovative policy action depends on how they are managed. Within the network management literature, we know already various roles a manager can perform to bring about ‘collaborative advantages’ in collaborative networks. Yet, in this article, I would like to present another role – that of the network manager as therapist – which can help actors in collaborative networks to deal with their discomforts they experience when participating in network processes.