AUTHOR
Björkehög, Linda

DATE
2004-06-10

DEPARTMENT
Business Administration and Social Sciences / Social sciences

SUMMARY
Regional European Offices with the purpose to represent regions and municipalities in the EU-system have had a substantial expansion over the last years. One example is the North Sweden European Office for the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten, consisting of seven different headmen who are representing both the private sector as well as the public system. This diverse leadership representation makes North Sweden a very good example on a so called Quango, organisations that stand under simultaneous influence from both public and private sectors. These Quangos opens up new possibilities to solve public problems, but they also bring together two different working models which is not always easy to handle for a Quango. According to earlier surveys some characteristic Quango problems within North Sweden exist, for example the ability to prioritize and thereby be as effective as possible.

There are different theories about how to make networks effective; this essay refers to the theories about social capital as the underlying factor for success. According to R.Burt theories, network closure and structural holes are the two main mechanisms for an effective and innovative network. Network closure refers to a strong internal cohesion and structural holes refer to having contacts reaching outside the network.

The purpose of this essay is to examine the structure of social capital that exists within the Quango North Sweden. This is made through a case study in the form of a network analysis. The study is based on the relation data that came forth through the survey that has been given out to all those who works within the regional office. From this data a relation matrix have been created, with the purpose to explain the relation structure.

With help from the theory framework the conclusion can be drawn that the organisation North Sweden could for instance be able to increase the ability to prioritize and become more effective, if the internal cohesion were stronger. This leads to the assumption that some networks are more effective than others according to the structure of their social capital In other words this essay displays that Quangos, despite its double connections, with the right structure on its social capital can increase its ability to prioritize and thereby become more effective.

ISSN 1404-5508 / ISRN LTU-SHU-EX--04/128--SE / NR 2004:128