Description
Book SynopsisIn view of the rising importance and prevalence of network-based collaboration, this book aims to meet the need for more theory in this area. Theoretically conceptualizing and empirically describing the practice of reflexive leadership in inter-organisational networks, it explores how member organisations approach reflexive leadership and the associated challenges. Examining these questions from wider leadership theory perspectives as well as a tighter focus upon inter-organizational networks, the author specifically explores how reflexive leadership can be sustained and how social and political contexts may obstruct or support its use, acceptance and practice. Based on in-depth qualitative empirical fieldwork in the Swiss healthcare sector, the book offers a novel practice-theoretical model for use in inter-organizational networks.
Table of Contents1. The need for reflexive leadership in inter-organizational networks
Research question and research issues
Relevance to research and managerial practice
Theoretical perspectives
Empirical perspectives
Contributions and structure of the book
2. Theoretical foundations of leadership in networks
Action- and structure-oriented theories of leading in networks
Affordances and limitations
Towards a practice theory of leading in networks
Summary and outlook
3. Reconstructing leadership in networks as a reflexive practice
Principles of practice theory
Networks as bundles of inter-organizational practices
The practice of leading in inter-organizational networks
The meaning and role of reflexivity in leadership practice
Summary and outlook
4. Methodology
Longitudinal qualitative comparative case study design
Research context and field access
Data collection and analysis
Research aim and ethical considerations
Summary and outlook
5. A practice-theoretical model of reflexive leadership in networks
Assumptions about networks, leadership, and the role of reflexivity
A closer look at the model
Summary and outlook
6. Case study I: Peripheral
Starting conditions (2000 – 2002)
Period 1 (2003 – 2006): Peripheral’s birth
Period 2 (2007 – 2008): Peripheral’s pilot phase
Period 3 (2009 – 2013): Integrating care
Summary and outlook
7. Case Study II: Urban
Starting conditions (2000 – 2006)
Period 1 (2007 – 2009): Urban’s launch
Period 2 (2010 – 2012): Building Urban
Period 3 (2013 – 2014): Ambulatory primary care
Summary and outlook
8. Discussion
Comparative analysis and theorization
Theoretical implications
Practical implications
9. Conclusion
