Network control between management and moderation: Significance and handling of concepts of moderation in the control of business networks

The use of participative methods, like moderation, as a management tool for interfirm networks is increasing. In contrast, the evaluation of results m ight not satisfy expectations. One major reason lies in the unreflective tr ansmission from the roots of moderation, it was historically developed for the context of social groups and organizations. However, the network as a r elatively unknown social phenomenon implies a set of different characterist ics and conditions which have to be taken into account. Dilemmas, fluid and volatile resources as well as the lack of openness in the manner of partic ipation shown by the members of a network, affect radically the identity, t he possibilities of action and the applicable instruments of moderation. Th erefore, basic principles of action (i.e. neutrality) and the demarcation f rom obvious roles and functions (i.e. network management) have to be reexam ined.