4 • Le caratteristiche della leadership nei contratti di rete italiani: verso attrattività e stabilità

<jats:p>This chapter examines how network leadership shapes the attractiveness and stability of Italian inter-organizational networks established through network contracts. Drawing on survey data from the 2025 National Observatory of Network Contracts, it analyzes four leadership orientations – goal-directedness, efficiency, participation, and cohesion – and their effects on member entry and exit. The findings show that goal-oriented and efficient leadership enhance attractiveness, while cohesion strengthens stability but may limit openness. Overall, effective network leadership emerges as a combination of complementary leadership orientations.</jats:p>