Conference: Advances in the Governance of Interorganizational Care Networks

“We expect a lot from networks in healthcare, but we still don't understand them well enough.”

Collaboration is the ultimate buzzword in healthcare. From regional networks to integrated partnerships, new forms of collaboration are emerging everywhere to tackle the challenges in the sector. But are these networks actually working as well as we hope?

According to researcher and PhD candidate Nick Zonneveld, the answer is more nuanced than is often thought.

“What we see in my research,” he says, “is that differences between organizations, for example in what they consider important, are not necessarily a problem. On the contrary: that very diversity of values can be a strength in collaboration, provided it is managed effectively.”

Bringing research and practice together

The symposium offers more than just lectures. In interactive sessions, participants will engage with questions such as:

• How do you measure the impact of networks?

• Why do some collaborations succeed while others do not?

• What concrete actions can policymakers and executives take to strengthen networks?

There are sessions designed for both researchers and policymakers, ensuring that both science and practice receive the focus they deserve.

PhD Research

The symposium also serves as the prelude to Zonneveld’s PhD defense at Tilburg University. In his dissertation, ‘The Value of Different Values: Exploring the Role of Values in Interorganizational Care Networks,’ he investigates the role of values in collaboration within healthcare networks.

“My dissertation shows that we too often approach networks as if everyone must always be on the same page,” Zonneveld continues. “But effective collaboration does not arise from smoothing over differences, but from recognizing and connecting them through appropriate governance.”