Policy coordination and integration,trust,management and performance in public health-related policy networks: a survey

Abstract

Intersectoral policy networks may be effective in dealing with complex public health problems. Their performance is assumed to depend on network management and trust, as well as on integrated public health policy (i.e. policy coordination and integration). We studied the role of network management and trust in the realization of integrated public health policy and network performance, as well as the relation between integrated public health policy and network performance. In 34 Dutch local policy networks, we measured the perceptions of 278 actors through a Web-based survey and used regression analyses to assess the relations between policy variables. Management and trust were positively related to perceived integrated public health policy and network performance, while integrated public health policy was also positively related to perceived network performance. In public health, the performance of intersectoral policy networks may be improved by adequate network management, the creation of trust and policy coordination and integration. Future research could further explore the role of specific characteristics of the network manager, like the manager’s background, relation to the other actors and leadership style.

Points for practitioners

Regarding inter-sectoral policy networks in public health: first, when aiming for the realization of policy coordination and integration, the employment of network management strategies and the creation of trust are of importance for the network manager; and, second, when also aiming for the realization of network performance, the creation of policy coordination and integration is of additional importance for the network manager.