Is This A Network?

"Is this a network?" is a question that I find myself continually asking as I encounter each unique grouping of organizations that are linked together in different ways. Naturally, what one concludes in answer to this question depends on what one's definition of a network is. I have reviewed the literature and reflected on my own experience and here is how I would define an inter-organizational network.

1. It is a system of social ties (relationships, trust) that link people to one another and that hold the network together. These ties are sustained and supported by ongoing communication and facilitation.   
2. It does not rely on top-down authority to get things done. Instead, members are connected around a common purpose, shared vision, common language and/or agreement on primary goals. Action in the network is supported by a backbone support staff who can help plan, manage, and facilitate.
3. It is a number of organizations that voluntarily join together to provide benefits to their own organization, their organization members, the network as a whole and their customer-constituents.
4. There are developing lateral connections among members that enable members to work together collaboratively on specific challenges or issues that emerge while also working collectively to pursue the overall mission of the network.
5. It has the ability to self-organize.
6. The member organizations work together to support connection, alignment or production. Each of these purposes is built upon the previous ones. Connection allows the flow of knowledge and transactions among members. Alignment supports a shared sense of identity or a collective value proposition. Production results from joint action to produce a good or service or to advocate, innovate, or mobilize citizenry.
7. It is fueled by new technologies.
8. Members possess a network mindset which entails values that support the other elements.

(Sources: Plastrik, Taylor, Kania, Kramer)

I have encountered groupings of organizations who possess less than all of these characteristics. In these cases, it is possible that the grouping is on the path to becoming a network or even on the path to move away from being a network. In some cases, I would say that the grouping possesses a network mindset as might be the case for example where members make an effort to collaborate and support the lateral flow of knowledge but where the form of governance remains a traditional top-down one.

This is an evolving definition and I would be happy to hear from others as to what they would include or not include in such a definition.