Horizontal (Policy) Networks
Policy networks are defined as “a cluster or complex
of organizations connected to each other by resource
dependencies and distinguished from other cluster or
complex by breaks in the structure of resource dependencies
(Benson, 1982).” On the other hand, Wilks and
Wright (1987) termed policy network as “a linking
process, the outcome of those exchanges, within a policy
community or between a number of policy community.”
5 Rhodes (1986) elaborates this definition by coming
up with five types of networks ranging along a continuum
of highly integrated policy communities to loosely
integrated issue networks. In the case of horizontal networks
where operations are pooled and partners are horizontally
interdependent, cooperation among participants
is justified in the long-run if there is a strong
‘complementarity’ in terms of resource contribution by
partners (Park, 1996). The reason why inter-organizational
‘complementarity’ is a necessary condition for the
effective functioning of horizontal networks is that it
enables participants to set aside inter-organizational
rivalry and self-interest temporarily. Horizontal networks
are further divided into two types: intergovernmental
networks and multi-sector networks.