Failure of Networks and Network Management

Dealing with failure presupposes knowing what went wrong and who did a mistake. In the specific field of networks, both questions are not easy to answer because we still lack a mutual understanding of networks and network management. Thus, before we can develop specific strategies against failure, we must specify the unique features of networks and their management. We will argue that networks are characterized by negotiation, trust and flexibility. The term “management” suggests that networks can be governed just like formal organizations. However, these three criteria implicate the need to rethink the role of management in networks radically. We will use examples from the existing literature and from our own work with network managers to demonstrate how and why neglecting the unique logic of networks can lead to failure. Moving on from these insights, we will put forward recommendations for good network management to bring forth its professionalization – so that in future fewer networks fail and more move on successfully.