Vertrauen in grenzüberschreitenden Akteursnetzwerken

Abstract

As is essential for close co-ope- ration, its crucial role for the functionality of networks has been increasingly acknowledged in recent years. Its role is even more important in transboundary networks due to a lack of the opportunity to impose sanctions, the asynchroni- city of exchange, and the high importance of personal interactions. However, there is little said about the chances to foster the establish- ment of and the special conditions of buil- ding up in cross-border co-operation. To investigate these questions, an empirical study was carried out with the German, Polish and Czech actors of the EU funded co-operation pro- ject ENLARGE-NET. The findings revealed that joint experiences and repeated interactions, di- rect communication, cross-border institutions, social distance and the commitment of a third party are the most important factors influencing the development of among the parties in- volved. To strengthen the process of building-up among actors in transboundary co-opera- tions, a trust management programme should be implemented that aims at high contact fre- quency to guarantee a professional as well as personal exchange, an exchange that in addition secures a direct communication of the partici- pants despite differences in languages, imposes well-defined rules of behavior and competen - cies, and influences the composition of partici - pants to narrow the social distance and establish a feeling of equality. However, building up is a long-term process that is not easily fostered and is very sensitive to disturbances, which can stop the process immediately.