Ex Ante Knowledge for Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Introducing the Organizational Network Governance Approach

Abstract

In our paper we investigate to what extent ex ante knowledge about a response network can be made available in order to deal with a crisis such as an infectious disease outbreak. Outbreaks are almost by definition characterized by a lack of information and knowledge. We introduce the organizational network governance approach for producing information prior to an actual outbreak, which is useful in limiting a virus’s transmission and impact. By introducing two fictitious but realistic outbreak scenarios—the outbreak of the West Nile Virus (WNV) and the outbreak of a New Asian Coronavirus (NAC) in the Netherlands—we demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. We formulate recommendations how to use the generated information to strengthen the organizational context in order to limit a virus’s transmission and impact and how to further develop the organizational network governance approach. We also formulate recommendations for how to further develop the organizational network governance approach.

Network governance as an alternative policy response to managing infectious disease outbreaks: Lessons from Uganda's response to the COVID‐19 crisis

“…Uganda's quick institutionalization of task forces and subcommittees created better avenues for coordination and collaboration of networks of actors at all government levels. The study case affirms assertions that goal‐oriented coordination structures and capacities are crucial in network governance of crises (Christensen et al, 2016; Nohrstedt et al, 2018; Raab et al, 2020). While core‐periphery networks may effectively help to manage crises (Kenis et al, 2019; Nowell et al, 2018), collaborations may encounter challenges such as poor coordination, lack of commitment, distrust among actors, divergent actor values and interests, manipulation by the powerful (Ansell & Gash, 2008; Christensen et al, 2016).…”

“…Uganda's success in handling COVID‐19 could also be associated with its success in handling other infectious diseases such as Ebola and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Aceng et al, 2020; Ryan, 2022). Therefore, as stressed by Raab et al (2020), the importance of such an ex‐ante knowledge, capabilities, and capacities for crisis response that network actors possess should not be overlooked.…”

“…There is growing literature that network governance is increasingly being considered as an alternative public management approach to managing infectious disease crises (Ansell et al, 2012; Kenis et al, 2019; Raab et al, 2020). However, the nature of disease threats, the rate of infection, the geographical scope, the impacts, and the level of knowledge may determine the specific type of network governance to apply (Kenis et al, 2019; Raab et al, 2020). This article focuses on the core‐periphery type of network governance.…”

“…Network governance is one of the collaborative governance approaches recommended for responding to complex public health problems (Kickbusch & Gleicher, 2012; Ortenzi et al, 2022). While growing literature proposes the use of network governance to manage infectious diseases (Kenis et al, 2019; Raab et al, 2020), there is a need to contextually explore how such collaborative efforts are organized and implemented.…”

Network governance theory as basic pattern for promoting financial support system of the poor in Iranian health system

“…Networks describe the pattern of relationship among actors, while the governance perspective on networks raises the question of how these networks achieve their goals and what mechanisms govern their performance. Where market mechanisms and hierarchies are not effective, the network as a structure of governance will be the most appropriate option [37].…”