Understanding the formation and evolution of collaborative networks using a multi-actor climate program as example

The mechanisms governing the composition of formal collaborative network remain poorly understood, owing to a restrictive focus on endogenous mechanisms to the exclusion of exogenous mechanisms. It is important to study how endogenous network structure and exogenous actor behaviour influence network formation and evolution over time. Current efforts in modelling longitudinal social networks are consistent with this view. The use of stochastic actor-based simulation models for the co-evolution of networks and behaviour allows the joint representation of endogenous and exogenous mechanisms, specifically the structural, componential, functional, and behavioural mechanisms of network formation. In this paper we study the emergence of collaborative networks in the Knowledge for Climate (KvK) research program. Endogenous mechanisms (transitivity and centrality) play a key role in the evolution of the KvK network. The results also reveal the influence of exogenous mechanisms: actors tend to collaborate with other actors from the same type of organizations (componential) and patterns of collaboration are affected by the nature and differences in roles (functional). Our analysis reveals a gap between actors from different sectors and a gap between actors working on global problems and those working on local problems. This is particularly visible in the fact that organizations active in hotspots projects, which focus on developing practical solutions for local and regional problems, are significantly more likely to form new ties than those active in theme projects.