An Inter-Organizational Network Analysis of Development Civil Society Organizations in Korea

Abstract

Using social network analysis, this research examines inter-organizational network of development civil society organizations in Korea. It analyzes its structural properties and identifies key organizations in the networks of five different collaboration types: information exchange, regular meeting, sharing of resources, joint program, and joint protest. The analysis finds several characteristics of the development CSO network in Korea. First, the network density of each collaboration network tends to decrease as the collaboration formalizes. Second, the overall network appears to be fragile and centralized with many peripheral organizations dependent on only a few central organizations. Third, several organizations occupy strategically significant positions in the network. Fourth, most development CSOs in Korea firstly prioritize service delivery over advocacy, yet more advocacy organizations become involved in the network as the collaboration formalizes. Lastly, the organizations have a relatively short history, but older organizations are not necessarily central in the network. Based on the results, the study further discusses the mode of governance of the Korean development CSO network. This research contributes to the literature as the first inter-organizational network analysis of the development CSOs in Korea.