Why Do Agencies Work Together? The Determinants of Network Formation at the Subnational Level of Government in Thailand

There is a small, although well-established body of literature examining network performance and accountability. In addition, there are relatively few studies which examine potential factors for determining network formation. The current study provides a systematic analysis of network formation determinants. A logistic regression model is constructed to explain the probability of network formation; five major groups of explanatory variables are included: institutional, programmatic, managerial, political, and socioeconomic. Data for this study were collected between 2003 and 2005 from 411 programs at the subnational governance level of Thailand as part of a larger study on the management of local governments. The analysis shows that the most significant variables in determining network formation include the nature of the programs and management capacity. Local political climate also has a significant effect on network formation, but only indirectly. The study also reveals that collaborations in educational and cultural promotion programs are still restricted, which differs from the experiences in many developed countries. This study illustrates the importance of programmatic, managerial, and political contexts that administrators may consider when forming networks.