title: Maintaining relationships is critical in network's success.
abstract: As the authors of the lead paper recognize, networks have become an increasingly popular form of organizing, both in the delivery of public services and within political arenas. A network is an arrangement of individuals and/or organizations that are linked through connections that range from informal relationships to formally agreed protocols. Networks have proved useful in addressing complex and intractable problems that require a holistic approach to identifying and implementing long-term solutions. They succeed in situations where hierarchies and "silo-based" systems have failed, and are particularly valuable in facilitating the transfer of resources and knowledge across sectoral and organizational boundaries.
authors.affiliation: Practice Development, Community Development Foundation, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huerta
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D017146:Models, Organizational