Determining the Impact of Personal and Organisational Interests on Cooperation in a Dutch Integrated Dementia Care Network: A Mixed Methods Social Network Analysis

Abstract

In this mixed methods case study we examined the relationship structure within an integrated dementia care (IDC) network and showed how personal and organisational interests can affect interorganisational cooperation. Our research was theory-driven and consisted of three phases: a Social Network Analysis (SNA) based on data from questionnaires (n=24-26), explorative interviews with network partners (n=14) and a focus group with network coordinators (n=7) to explore the conceptual generalisability of the single case of the IDC-network. The developed social networks graphs revealed that highly connected organisations are established care organisations that deliver case management, while smaller care organisations or welfare organisations tend to be more peripheral. Care-related, strategic, and financial interests influence the level of participation of organisations in the IDC-network, while personal intrinsic motivations determine a representative’s contribution to the network. Conflicting interests, especially clashing visions and financial interests, strongly influence the network structure. The results show that conflicting interests form a barrier to successfully realise the collective goal of an IDC-network, i.e., optimising the wellbeing of people with dementia and their informal caregivers in the region. Thus, IDC-networks should act to manage, resolve and prevent disputes arising from conflicting interests.