Public collaborative networks have been used across Europe to deal with challenges in public service delivery. However, running inter-organisational structures requires suitable management accounting and control systems.

There are packages of mechanisms that help these networks build and maintain collaborative relationships between partners, enabling them to achieve shared goals. This academic research is based on a qualitative case study of two public collaborative networks operating at the local level to protect individuals against violence in Italy and the UK.

The findings highlight the role of packages of control mechanisms in building collaboration in networks and supporting the achievement of goals.