Blurring public-private boundaries: governance of information sharing in global trade networks

Abstract

Collaborative networks comprising both public and private organisations are seen as the contemporary form of organising public action. However, in these networks, public organisations and private organisations bring in different approaches to their operations and interactions with other parties. These different approaches provide different and sometimes competing directions for the coordination of public-private collaborations. In this paper, we discuss the background of public-private collaboration and conduct an explorative case study in which innovation in data sharing between multiple stakeholders in global trade networks leads to issues in the functionality on the boundary between public and private data. A shift in boundaries and a higher dependence on other actors is the result of a digital infrastructure innovation with both public and private components. We found that hierarchical and market governance modes are both present and offer competing directions for operating on the public-private boundary. The case study results show the need for a public-private governance approach to deal with the issues that arise at the boundary between the two sectors. A major issue there is how public or community services that are provided by a private party can be upheld while at the same time providing a revenue model for the businesses involved.