Barbara Zyzak
About
I am an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration in the Department of Sociology and Political Science at NTNU. My research examines governance and collaboration in the public sector, with particular emphasis on leadership, coordination, digital government, and cybersecurity.
I also serve as Associate Editor for the international journals:
- Public Management Review
- International Journal of Public Administration,
- Information Polity
- Complexity, Governance & Networks,
In addition, I am a board member (New Researchers Coordinator) for the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM) conference.
I have published book chapters and articles in a range of internationally recognized journals, including Public Management Review, Higher Education Policy, Telematics & Informatics, Administration & Society, European Management Journal, International Journal of Cultural Policy, International Journal of Public Sector Management, and the Nordic Journal of Innovation in the Public Sector (NJIPS).
Publications
The research focuses on public administration and governance, with particular emphasis on how digital transformation influences the development and delivery of public services. It examines collaboration between public organisations, institutions, and industry, and explores how regional development can be supported through innovative policy and networked governance.
2026
-
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2026)
What drives the effective utilization of digital technologies in emergency management? An interpretive structural modeling approach.
International Journal of Emergency Services
Academic article
-
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2026)
What drives the effective utilization of digital technologies in emergency management? An interpretive structural modeling approach.
International Journal of Emergency Services
Academic article
2025
-
Martinussen, Pål Erling;
Nordheim, Oda;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2025)
Computer World: Digital Public Services and Well-Being in Europe.
Information Polity
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna;
Farsund, Arild Aurvåg.
(2025)
Coordination of complex systems: the case of public policy meta-organisations.
European Management Journal
Academic article
-
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2025)
Digital Technologies in Public Administration Networks: Systematic Literature Review and Research Avenues.
Administration & Society
Academic article
2024
-
Zyzak, Barbara;
Martinussen, Pål Erling.
(2024)
OK computer: applying the public service logic on digital health services.
Public Management Review
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna;
Sienkiewicz-Malyjurek, Katarzyna;
Jensen, Magnus Rom.
(2024)
Public Value Management in Digital Transformation: A Scoping Review.
International Journal of Public Sector Management
Academic article
-
Sienkiewicz-Malyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2024)
Overcoming social and ethical challenges of AI through organizational resilience. A PLS-SEM approach.
Telematics and informatics
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2024)
Importance of Managerial Networking for Innovation in Governance Networks.
Nordic Journal of Innovation in the Public Sector (NJIPS)
Academic article
2023
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2023)
Network bandwidth management in public administration:
definition and mechanisms.
Academic chapter
2020
-
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2020)
Managing Collaborative Arrangements : Challenges associated with managing secondary structures.
Universitetet i Agder
Doctoral thesis
2019
-
Zyzak, Barbara;
Jacobsen, Dag Ingvar.
(2019)
External managerial networking in meta-organizations. Evidence from regional councils in Norway.
Public Management Review
Academic article
2018
-
Hauge, Elisabeth S.;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2018)
Knowledge bases and regional development: collaborations between higher education and cultural creative industries.
International Journal of Cultural Policy
Academic article
-
Guribye, Eugene;
Pustulka, Paula;
Slusarczyk, Magdalena;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2018)
Left to their own devices? : on the role of Polish migrant organisations in Norway.
Academic chapter
2017
-
Karlsen, James Tommy;
Beseda, Jan;
Šima, Karel;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2017)
Outsiders or Leaders? The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Development of Peripheral Regions.
Higher Education Policy
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2017)
Breakdown of Inter-Organizational Cooperation: The case of regional councils in Norway.
Academic chapter
2016
-
Zyzak, Barbara;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Hauge, Elisabeth S..
(2016)
Network ties between universities and cultural and creative industries.
Academic chapter
2014
-
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2014)
Nie dla Unii Europejskiej, Tak dla Europejskiego Obszaru Gospodarczego. Norwegia a Europa w latach 1945–2009.
Wydawnictwu Adam Marszalek
Academic monograph
2013
-
Hauge, Elisabeth S.;
Wærdahl, Randi;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Bakke, Kathrine;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2013)
Kompetanseutfordringer på Agder. Forprosjekt om mulige forbindelseslinjer mellom velferd, kompetanse og arbeids- og næringsliv.
NORCE Research AS
Research report
-
Karlsen, James Tommy;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Zyzak, Barbara;
Flåten, Bjørn-Tore;
Isaksen, Arne.
(2013)
Kunnskap og innovasjon i Agder.
Popular science chapter
-
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Hauge, Elisabeth S.;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2013)
Samarbeid mellom akademia og kreative næringer. En kvalitativ analyse i Agder-regionen.
NORCE Research AS
Research report
-
Wallevik, Kristin;
Ricke, Michael Aloysius;
Jørgensen, Geir;
Svarstad, Christine;
Hernes, Helge;
Karlsen, James Tommy;
Flåten, Bjørn-Tore;
Isaksen, Arne;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2013)
Krise, omstilling og vekst - en regionanalyse av Sørlandet.
NORCE Research AS
Research report
Journal publications
-
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2026)
What drives the effective utilization of digital technologies in emergency management? An interpretive structural modeling approach.
International Journal of Emergency Services
Academic article
-
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2026)
What drives the effective utilization of digital technologies in emergency management? An interpretive structural modeling approach.
International Journal of Emergency Services
Academic article
-
Martinussen, Pål Erling;
Nordheim, Oda;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2025)
Computer World: Digital Public Services and Well-Being in Europe.
Information Polity
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara;
Martinussen, Pål Erling.
(2024)
OK computer: applying the public service logic on digital health services.
Public Management Review
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara;
Jacobsen, Dag Ingvar.
(2019)
External managerial networking in meta-organizations. Evidence from regional councils in Norway.
Public Management Review
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna;
Sienkiewicz-Malyjurek, Katarzyna;
Jensen, Magnus Rom.
(2024)
Public Value Management in Digital Transformation: A Scoping Review.
International Journal of Public Sector Management
Academic article
-
Sienkiewicz-Malyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2024)
Overcoming social and ethical challenges of AI through organizational resilience. A PLS-SEM approach.
Telematics and informatics
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna;
Farsund, Arild Aurvåg.
(2025)
Coordination of complex systems: the case of public policy meta-organisations.
European Management Journal
Academic article
-
Karlsen, James Tommy;
Beseda, Jan;
Šima, Karel;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2017)
Outsiders or Leaders? The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Development of Peripheral Regions.
Higher Education Policy
Academic article
-
Hauge, Elisabeth S.;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2018)
Knowledge bases and regional development: collaborations between higher education and cultural creative industries.
International Journal of Cultural Policy
Academic article
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2024)
Importance of Managerial Networking for Innovation in Governance Networks.
Nordic Journal of Innovation in the Public Sector (NJIPS)
Academic article
-
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, Katarzyna;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2025)
Digital Technologies in Public Administration Networks: Systematic Literature Review and Research Avenues.
Administration & Society
Academic article
Books
-
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2014)
Nie dla Unii Europejskiej, Tak dla Europejskiego Obszaru Gospodarczego. Norwegia a Europa w latach 1945–2009.
Wydawnictwu Adam Marszalek
Academic monograph
Part of book/report
-
Zyzak, Barbara;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Hauge, Elisabeth S..
(2016)
Network ties between universities and cultural and creative industries.
Academic chapter
-
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2017)
Breakdown of Inter-Organizational Cooperation: The case of regional councils in Norway.
Academic chapter
-
Karlsen, James Tommy;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Zyzak, Barbara;
Flåten, Bjørn-Tore;
Isaksen, Arne.
(2013)
Kunnskap og innovasjon i Agder.
Popular science chapter
-
Guribye, Eugene;
Pustulka, Paula;
Slusarczyk, Magdalena;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2018)
Left to their own devices? : on the role of Polish migrant organisations in Norway.
Academic chapter
-
Zyzak, Barbara Krystyna.
(2023)
Network bandwidth management in public administration:
definition and mechanisms.
Academic chapter
Report
-
Hauge, Elisabeth S.;
Wærdahl, Randi;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Bakke, Kathrine;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2013)
Kompetanseutfordringer på Agder. Forprosjekt om mulige forbindelseslinjer mellom velferd, kompetanse og arbeids- og næringsliv.
NORCE Research AS
Research report
-
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Hauge, Elisabeth S.;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2013)
Samarbeid mellom akademia og kreative næringer. En kvalitativ analyse i Agder-regionen.
NORCE Research AS
Research report
-
Wallevik, Kristin;
Ricke, Michael Aloysius;
Jørgensen, Geir;
Svarstad, Christine;
Hernes, Helge;
Karlsen, James Tommy;
Flåten, Bjørn-Tore;
Isaksen, Arne;
Pinheiro, Romulo;
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2013)
Krise, omstilling og vekst - en regionanalyse av Sørlandet.
NORCE Research AS
Research report
Student thesis or dissertation
-
Zyzak, Barbara.
(2020)
Managing Collaborative Arrangements : Challenges associated with managing secondary structures.
Universitetet i Agder
Doctoral thesis
Teaching
Courses
- POL8526 - Comparative Public Policy and Administration
- ODA3010 - Research Project for Organizations and Public Administration
In the academic year 2025/2026, I am on a research sabbatical and currently serve as a visiting professor at the Department of Social and Political Sciences at Bocconi University. Over the past four years, I have held academic responsibility (course coordinator) for the courses ODA3001, ODA3010, and ODA3010, with duties including curriculum development, coordination, and quality assurance of teaching. In addition, I have been involved in several other courses in political science, including POL1002, POL2017, the bachelor's thesis, and the master's thesis. Over the last four years, I have supervised more than 20 master's theses within the MODAA program and also served as the principal supervisor for a doctoral dissertation.
Supervision
Over the last four years, I have supervised more than 20 master's theses within the MODAA program and also served as the main supervisor for a doctoral dissertation.
Outreach
2025
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2025) Coordination and accountability in platforms. Nasjonal fagkonferanse i statsvitenskap 2025
2024
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna. (2024) Unpacking challenges and barriers to coordination in collaborative platforms. Public Management Research Conference (PMRC)
2023
-
LectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna. (2023) Fra Public Sector til Public Service Logic: En brukerorientert tilnærming til offentlige tjenester. Faglunsj
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna; Farsund, Arild Aurvåg. (2023) Coordination of Complex System: Meta-organization on Government Levels. IRSPM International Research Society in Public Management
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna; Sienkiewicz-Malyjurek, Katarzyna. (2023) Influence of organizational learning culture on managerial challenges of artificial intelligence adoption and utilization in city governments. The European Group for Public Administration (EGPA)
2022
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2022) OK Computer: Applying the Public Service Logic on digital health services. European Group for Public Administration (RGPA)
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2022) Utilization of digital technology in public administration networks: Systematic literature review and research agenda. European Group for Public Administration (EGPA)
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna; Martinussen, Pål Erling. (2022) Increasing visibility of end-users in public value creation. Applying Public Service Logic (PSL) to digitalization of health care services in Norway. International Research Society for Public Management
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna; Sienkiewicz-Małyjure, Katarzyna. (2022) Digital technology impact on networks in public administration: systematic literature review and research agenda. International Research Society for Public Management
2021
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna. (2021) Do resources make organizations more agile?. The European Group For Public Administration
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara Krystyna. (2021) Network bandwidth management. International Research Society for Public Management
2020
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2020) The impact of managerial networking on innovation outcomes in the public sector. 5th PUBSIC 2020 Innovation in Public Services and Public Policy Conference
2019
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2019) Public Sector Innovation Capacity: Networking and the Role of Value Adding Connector. International Research Society for Public Management
2018
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2018) Managerial networking in meta-organisations. Evidence from regional councils in Norway. Nordiske kommuneforskerkonferansen (NORKOM-konferansen)
2016
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2016) Breakdown of inter-organisational relations. The case of regional councils in Norway. The International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM)
2014
-
Conference lectureZyzak, Barbara. (2014) Network breakdown.The case of regional councils in Norway. XXIII (23.) Nordisk Kommuneforskningskonference
-
LectureZyzak, Barbara. (2014) Governance networks as a collaborative platform for governmental and non-governmental actors. The case of regional councils in Norway. Eighteenth Annual Conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM)
2013
-
Conference lecturePinheiro, Romulo; Zyzak, Barbara; Hauge, Elisabeth S.. (2013) Patterns of collaboration between academia and the creative sector: Mutual disrespect or intertwined agendas?. Association for Urban Creativity Annual Conference