netwerkgericht

Netwerkgericht is a Dutch term used to describe an approach or orientation in which networks and relationships between actors are central to strategy and operation. The concept signals a shift from a self-contained, resource-centric view to an outside-in, network-centric perspective, where value is co-created through collaboration and interorganizational exchange.

In practice, netwerkgerecht werken means organizing around connections, partnerships, and ecosystems rather than solely around internal processes or products. It involves establishing and maintaining relationships with diverse actors such as companies, knowledge institutions, government bodies, civil society, and communities. Activities often include forming alliances, coordinating across sectors, sharing information, and enabling open or collaborative innovation.

Common domains of application include business development, regional or urban systems, healthcare networks, and public service delivery. In business, netwerkgerecht strategies may foster partner ecosystems, supplier collaborations, or platform-based models. In regional development, they support coordinated policy making, joint investment, and knowledge transfer among regional players. In public services, network orientation aims for integrated care, mesh-like service networks, and cross-organizational governance.

Benefits typically cited are increased access to complementary capabilities, faster knowledge diffusion, greater flexibility, and enhanced resilience in the face of change. Challenges include coordinating diverse interests, aligning incentives, managing trust and data sharing, and handling governance across multiple actors with varying objectives. Netwerkgerichted thinking thus emphasizes collaboration as a resource and a process, rather than a fixed set of internal capabilities.