The Multiple Dimensions of Managerial Networking

The present paper shows that managerial networking is not a one-dimensional phenomenon, as is commonly assumed in the literature on network management, but has several dimensions. Because public managers make selective investments in their network contacts, multiple dimensions of network activity emerge. Mokken-scale analysis on the network ties of Texas school district superintendents for the years 2002 (n=639) and 2005 (n=683 shows the existence of three stable and homogeneous networking activity scales, which aim at generating: (1) political support, (2) bureaucratic coping, and (3) coproduction. To illustrate the potential contribution of cumulative scaling techniques for network management research, we compare the results of this technique with those of the more commonly used factor analysis in an analysis of managerial network activity and school district performance. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of results for a deeper understanding of managerial networking and a better explanation for different indicators of agency performance.