Interlocal collaborative processes and network position: the combined effects on environmental performance

This study investigates how network actors’ participation in collaborative processes improves environmental outcomes and how their closeness centrality moderates these relationships. Relying on a city-level panel dataset for 76 cities from six urban regions that participate in China’s joint atmospheric pollution mitigation programs, we found that participation in joint meetings, interlocal agreements, and joint implementations positively influences a city’s air quality. These effects differ for cities in dominant and peripheral positions with unbalanced power and resources within the network. Our findings deepen our understanding of intergovernmental networks and provide practical insights for equitable and effective collaboration implementation.