Communication and Management Challenges in Large, Cross-sector Research Networks: A Canadian Case Study

Abstract

In large cross-sector research networks, good communication is critical to the effective management of research partnerships. In this paper we report on a communication audit conducted to identify the communication pathways and flow of information within the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Network, a Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE). The results indicate a range of communication challenges that can be related to an inherent problem in network management—that of orchestrating some kind of “harmony” among the different and sometimes competing voices of the multiple sectors involved. Our findings confirm the need to design and implement formal organizational communication structures to facilitate the process of creating a shared language and unified goals for the different sectors entering into partnerships in large, collaborative network organizations.