Network Governance: What Two Decades of Social and Institutional Network Research Tell Us About Flood Risk Management

Abstract

Despite increasing scholarly attention to flood risk management (FRM), there remains limited systematic understanding of how network governance arrangements influence FRM outcomes. This knowledge gap is particularly critical given the frequency and severity of floods, causing significant socio-economic and environmental damages globally. Through a systematic literature review analyzing 38 peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2023, this paper investigates network governance in FRM using a three-component analytical framework examining actor constellations, operational activities, and governance outcomes. Our analysis explores the nature of network actor constellations in FRM research, the exchanges characterizing their operational activities, and the resultant governance outcomes that emerge from their interactions. The findings identify distinct network configurations: formal state agencies at different governance scales, informal local networks and bottom-up initiatives, and hybrid constellations incorporating both state and non-state actors. Operational activities are shaped by complex interdependencies including altruistic support, resource exchanges, knowledge flows, power dynamics, formal collaborations, and trust-based sociability. Our results reveal both desired outcomes, such as social learning and innovation, and undesired outcomes stemming from structural weaknesses and pragmatic constraints. For improving FRM practice and governance outcomes, we suggest, where possible, shifting more responsibility to highly effective non-state actors, managing negative interdependencies, and leveraging network governance throughout FRM phases. Our findings provide practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners for optimizing FRM governance arrangements while contributing theoretically to understanding how different network types influence flood resilience outcomes across developed and developing contexts. This article is categorized under: Human Water > Water Governance.