• Work

• External Shocks

• Reshaping organizational forms

Governance of inter-organizational networks: a systematic literature review and qualitative meta-synthesis Power dynamics in inter-organizational networks Tension management in inter-organizational networks: The power of multi-level separation

Tension management in inter-organizational networks: The power of multi-level separation Governance of inter-organizational networks: a systematic literature review and qualitative meta-synthesis

Tensions between contradictory needs — such as stability and flexibility, unity and diversity, or autonomy and accountability — are inherent to the functioning of inter-organizational networks. While traditional approaches address these tensions through trade-offs, paradox theory suggests that competing demands can be managed simultaneously. This study examines how such “both–and” outcomes become possible and which structural conditions enable paradoxical solutions. Drawing on a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis, we identify 34 instances of tension management across diverse sectors. Our analysis shows that whether networks employed integration or separation strategies mattered less than the nature of the solution itself: paradoxical, simultaneous fulfillment of contradictory needs depended primarily on the scalability of the mechanism used. Our findings contribute to paradox and network governance literatures by (1) providing the first cross-case synthesis of tension management strategies in inter-organizational settings; (2) identifying types of solutions that can, in theory, enable the simultaneous fulfillment of competing needs; and (3) specifying structural conditions — scalability, degree of coordination, robust monitoring, and negotiated exchange — that characterize networks capable of paradoxical solutions. These insights advance theory on paradoxical organizing and offer actionable guidance for designing inter-organizational networks capable of “having it all.”

This chapter investigates a single overarching question: when is a paradoxical ("both–and") solution possible in managing contradictory demands within inter-organizational networks, and which structural conditions enable it? This question is addressed through three sub-questions: 1. What strategies are employed in inter-organizational collaborations to manage tensions between conflicting needs, such as unity versus diversity and stability versus flexibility? 2. Can inter-organizational collaborations be identified in which two contradictory needs — for example, stability — and flexibility — are fulfilled simultaneously? 3. Under what structural conditions can inter-organizational networks satisfy both contradictory needs? Together, these sub-questions clarify when a paradox solution becomes possible when managing contradictory demands within inter-organizational networks.

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• Archival
• Text Analysis

No

We searched for the studies published in English across the whole database. The research string can be found in the protocol of the literature review below.

We searched for the studies published in English across the whole database. The research string can be found in the protocol of the literature review below.

We searched for the studies published in English across the whole database. The research string can be found in the protocol of the literature review below.

We searched for the studies published in English across the whole database. The research string can be found in the protocol of the literature review below.

We searched for the studies published in English across the whole database. The research string can be found in the protocol of the literature review below.

We searched for the studies published in English across the whole database. The research string can be found in the protocol of the literature review below.

• .doc
• .pdf

• Unstructured

• English

01/01/1993

01/07/2021

Asia

Australia

Europe

North America

South America

01/01/1993

01/08/2021

No