Analyzing and evaluating regional governance networks: Three challenges for applications

Multi-actor networks for regional governance are becoming increasingly important in the European Union, and evaluations often have to be cognisant of this. In applying network analysis to the evaluation of networks for regional governance, the researcher has to face three bottlenecks. First, network analysis is mostly performed statically but policy networks are highly dynamic - especially when they are established by programs and therefore still at an early stage. Second, network analysis is often one-dimensional, whilst policy networks link personal, organizational and institutional relations in complex multi-dimensional structures. Finally, the assessment made by network analysis is limited to internal communication processes, but governance networks prove their usefulness through their external activities, affecting regional development in a given sector. These aspects will be illustrated by two examples, tackling additionally different challenges such as large-scale model programs and cross-border networks. Based on that experience, some suggestions for applying network analysis in evaluations are offered.