Accountability and inter-organizational collaboration within the state

This article discusses collaborative arrangements within the state and looks at their consequences for democratic accountability in networked governance involving public actors different levels policy areas. Applying an institutional perspective, it examines two such collaborations Norway: work-related organized crime vulnerable youths. It finds that horizontal collaborationsincorporate local differentiation expertise resulting a ‘collaborative culture’ facilitating broader involvement more deliberative processes. However, top-down mechanisms, organizational commitment, resource allocation, monitoring are also important. The cases demonstrate shift towards informal, voluntary, existing shadow of hierarchy, constraining arrangements’ effectiveness making them complex multi-layered.