Managing research networks: a study of inter - organizational linkages

Abstract

Many organizations have resources which may not be optimally used within the organization. Thus the redundancy of some resources and scarcity of others often generate the need for inter-organizational networks. At the same time distribution of power, authority and control over scarce resources and access to key decision makers may be such that some functional networks may not emerge while other dysfunctional networks may get established. Management of networks thus becomes a challenging proposition for the organizational leaders. In part one of the paper socio-ecological, institutional and public policy contexts of inter-organizational networking are introduced. Literature on evolution and functioning of networks in agricultural research is reviewed in part two. The findings from empirical research based on interviews with the scientists in ICAR and SAUs(State..) are presented in part three.