On the relationship between goals, membership and network design in multi-agency “fusion” centres

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adopt an organisational network perspective to examine the structural properties underpinning the design and governance of multi-agency fusion centres and related environments, focussing particularly on how they are formed and internally managed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted several focus groups and follow-up interviews with executive and operational members of Australia’s principal fusion centres and related environments.

Findings

The authors argue that in order to understand the internal dynamics of fusion centres, and the ways in which they form and function, the analysis of interrelationships between partners and potential partners is critical. The authors have demonstrated that a network model can assist in this type of analysis. For example, hub-and-spoke network structures appear to be a particularly effective solution to the centralisation-density trade-off for such inter-agency networks.

Originality/value

The authors use a novel approach that combines a goal-oriented network framework with the existing literature on fusion centres to synthesise key features of the network structure of fusion centres and associated processes of information sharing.

Citation

Bright, D. and Whelan, C. (2019), "On the relationship between goals, membership and network design in multi-agency “fusion” centres", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 441-454. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-05-2018-0070