Liu, YipengGuo, HongNault, Barrie2020-01-232020-01-232016-09-14Liu, Y., Guo, H., & Nault, B. R. (2016). Organization of Public Safety Networks: Spillovers, Interoperability, and Participation. Production and Operations Management, 26(4), 704–723. doi:10.1111/poms.12655http://hdl.handle.net/1880/111547https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/43877We analyze trade‐offs in the organization of public safety networks when network assets are distributed across districts and a district values network assets in its own and other districts. Comparing centralized, decentralized, and mixed organization forms, we capture two critical properties: interoperability among distributed technology‐based network assets and the ability of districts to opt‐in or opt‐out of the centralized form. We model the provision of public safety networks, where network assets are chosen by each district or by a federal government, where these assets have a positive cross‐district spillover that depends on interoperability, where investments in effort can be made to improve interoperability, and where districts can opt‐in or opt‐out of centralized provision. With the adoption of centralized, decentralized, or mixed provision as a result of districts' opt‐in or opt‐out choices, we identify conditions that determine when the districts deviate from the social optimum and thus regulatory intervention is beneficial to incent the socially optimal organization form. We show how the socially optimal organization form can be achieved through policy instruments such as a sharing rule for the cost of interoperability effort and direct government grants.engUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.centralizationdecentralizationinteroperabilitypublic safety networksfirst-netjournal articlehttps://doi.org/10.1111/poms.12655