The Quest for Value-Creating Networking

Abstract: This study aims finding the significance of value-creating networking, for actors organizing themselves to take social responsibility, by examining three empirical cases. The study takes on the networkproblematic by investigating: (1) how the organizing actors network, (2) for whom they organize their activities, (3) when they generate value by networking, and (4) what the results of their networking are.   The study comprises both primary with secondary data. The primary data accounts for the empirical material of this study and consists of interviews held with organizing actors from three networks. These actors then, have been selected by using the snowball method. The primary data has then been analyzed by using bottom-up implementation research policy analysis. This research method has then been combined with a well-proven methodological scheme that has been used to arrange the structure of the study, as well as designing the interview questions. The secondary data, in turn, supports the primary data with existing theories on networking, social responsibility, organization, and organizing.   The three empirical cases indicate that socially responsible actors organize themselves by networking to address mutually defined needs. The study also shows that the networking, in the three empirical cases, takes place through the exchange of resources among actors within the networks. Based on the three empirical cases, the study draws the conclusion that the networks generate value to their participants, as long as there is a need, or demand, of their activities. However, when the networks no longer generate additional value to their participants, there will be no demand, or need for their activities. This in turn would imply that the examined networks would no longer be organized.   By using the three empirical cases to exemplify, the study contributes with increased knowledge of how these socially responsible actors network, for whom they organize their activities, when they generate value by networking, and what the results of their networking are. The three examined networks thus enables for approaching how socially responsible actors generate additional value by organising themselves in networks.