Effectiveness of a Shared Leadership Model: The British Columbia Network for Aging Research

This article applies and builds upon the network leadership models introduced by Provan and Kenis to the case of the British Columbia Network for Aging Research (BCNAR). We specify a particular type of shared leadership model and term this a Targeted Shared Leadership (TSL) model based on the governance structure of BCNAR. Key features include six coleaders who are selected on the basis of representation of five major universities (typically in its gerontology center) situated in the five provincial health authorities in British Columbia. Several network characteristics are introduced and then applied to BCNAR to assess effectiveness of the leadership structure. Innovations in research grant capacity support, communication, mentorship and training of new gerontologists, and knowledge translation are used to specify the effectiveness of the leadership structural dynamics of BCNAR. Potential applications of this shared leadership model for other networks are discussed.