This dissertation explores the intricacies of public safety service networks within local governments through the lens of Social Network Analysis (SNA). Addressing significant gaps in existing literature, it utilizes a multilayer network framework to examine how formal intergovernmental agreements create interconnected public service systems. The study investigates the interdependence among five key public safety networks—criminal investigation, emergency response, fire protection, jails and corrections, and policing—using three conceptual lenses: multiplex, network of networks (NoNs), and multi-slice.
The research reveals that interdependencies among these networks are limited and not stable over time. Shared membership influences network dynamics, particularly in criminal investigation and jails and corrections, highlighting the selective nature of collaboration among local agencies. Temporal analysis uncovers emergent but unstable communities within these networks, pointing to a fluctuating structure in public safety collaborations.
The dataset, derived from Iowa's 28E agreements from 1993 to 2018, offers a robust empirical foundation for this analysis. By advancing our understanding of the systemic and dynamic nature of public safety service networks, this work contributes to the broader discourse on collaborative public management and the resilience of intergovernmental service systems.
History
Advisor
Jered Carr
Department
Public Policy, Management, and Analytics
Degree Grantor
University of Illinois Chicago
Degree Level
Doctoral
Degree name
Doctor of Philosophy
Committee Member
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