What combinations of conditions lead to high performance of governance networks? A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis of 12 Sardinian tourist networks

This study seeks to contribute to our understanding of the complex causality of determinants of governance network performance in the field of tourism. From the literature, we identify four conditions – the formalization of coordination mechanisms, network management, network complexity and stakeholder involvement - and consider three levels of performance – network, participants and community. We use a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to investigate the cases of 12 Sardinian tourist networks. Our analysis shows that stakeholder involvement is a necessary condition, and that there are two configurations that lead to high network performance: formalized coordination mechanisms combined with the presence of network complexity and stakeholder involvement; and network complexity combined with the presence of stakeholder involvement and network management. The unique contribution of this article lies in the fact that it presents a theoretical integration of several “niche” domains of the network research in public management and administration and, in particular, it elaborates why tourism is a niche area. In doing so we hope this article acts as an example on how to study small to medium-sized networks in a specific sector.