NETWORKS and NETWORKING - reflections for the future
Goran B Tomson · 2005
Networks generally build on voluntary cooperation based on common interests, absent of formal contracts. Networks are generally decentralised, so that the network’s activities respond to the members’ needs. E.g. an information network must produce, collect and disseminate the kind of information that is the most critical to the users/members, and to ensure that it is in a format and language that is appropriate. Trust is key in networking. Trust is more easily achieved in a network with a small and homogenous number of members (e.g. a small group of researchers in a specific field but in different geographic locations). In such a network little formal co-ordination is required.