The evolution of governance networks in a time of crisis. Evidence from the Italian tourism sector

This paper contributes to an understanding of the development of governance networks in well-defined
space-time contexts. The first aim is to highlight features of public-private networks in tourism, under
the perspectives of integration and managerialization, and to deduce general principles from the case
study of «sistema turistico locale Sardegna Nord-Ovest». In particular, a set of variables to measure the
level of integration among participants and the managerialization of a network, seen as pre-conditions
of network performance, are identified on the basis of the literature. The second aim is to analyse the
evolution of such partnerships, in light of the recent economic crisis, through comparison between
performances measured at two moments in time over a three-year period: from the constitution to the
renewal (2008-2011), and after two and half years from the renewal of the partnership (2012-2014). The
empirical investigation, carried out using a personal interview approach, reveals that the choices of
institutional design and process management are more important than the lack of resources for
network success and that some contextual factors, such as the 'relationship capital', affect stability of
networks. In wider terms, this paper promotes reflection on the impact of the recent socioeconomic
crisis as well as on the strategies that, in such a context, can attenuate negative effects and enhance
network stability and effectiveness.