Types of networksThis is a featured page

Types of network and different network formations[1].

Networks can usually be divided at least three ways:
  1. By purpose or goal
  2. By structure
  3. By geography

Networks that are defined by their purpose or goal can be divided into the following categories:
  • Communities of practice
Communities of practice - usually informal at first - are created by the organisations themselves based upon shared interests and practices with the aim of strengthening each organisation’s individual capacity, rather than engaging in collective action.
  • Knowledge networks
Knowledge networks signify the generation and dissemination of information via a lateral learning in the network. This type of network can be either informal or formal with a structure that varies from network to network.

  • Sectoral networks
What defines sectoral networks is that they have been created with reference to a specific sector, (e.g. NGO sector, peacebuilding), and according to Liebler and Ferry 2006:17), they are often initiated by donors. The activities carried out in this type of network relates to advocacy and awareness raising issues, technical capacity building, joint research, developments of standards etc.
  • Social change or advocacy networks
Social change or advocacy networks (often informal) could represent alliances or coalitions sharing the aim of working with causes, which are of interest to the network. As a network of advocacy, work often involves interaction with governmental and intergovernmental entities.
  • Service Delivery Networks
Service delivery networks are created to coordinate the delivery of services (mostly health and human services) by autonomous organisations in order not to duplicate the work, avoid competition and to increase efficiency.

Networks are furthermore often either; local, regional, national or international. Some international networks are also built up by smaller groups or chapters at all of those levels.

Hub and poke

Hub and Poke

In the hub and poke network design, information flows horizontally between participants through the hub (centre) and vice versa.

Spider-web

Spider web


Looking at the spider-web network design, we can observe that it adds on to the former hub (centre) and poke design because here, information flows both horizontally and vertically – via contact and cooperation between member organisations.

Circle

Circle

As the circle network design is lacking the hub (centre), it is an uncomplicated structure, applied mostly in the early stages of a development of a network (ex. telephone chain).

Knitwork

Knitwork


The knitwork design explores the potential of including all members in the flow of information and can either represent a situation where a small, efficient group network with network members without facilitation (hub), or a situation where the hub is no longer needed as the network is able to be effective without help.

Wheel

wheel

In the wheel network design, the network members do not necessarily communicate via the hub, but with some members directly.

Sub-networks

subnetworks

The sub-network design is a development of the previous wheel model, with an addition of special flow within sub-units (per regions or special topics).


These designs are ideal types and vary throughout the lifetime of a network as do the intensity of contacts in the network, the objectives and results of the network.
[1] Liebler and Ferri 2004 pp. 15-19
[2] For the different types of networks see Havekort 1993 in UNDP 2000 “Optimising efforts: A Practical guide to NGO networking” p.12-13


KristinaLundborg
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