29/07/13 PUBLIC www.esade.edu/public/modules.php?name=news&idnew=986&in_window=1 1/6 Network performance determinants: a comparative analysis of UNESCO World Heritage sites This research is a first attempt to apply network theory to UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS). It has both practical and theoretical implications, contributing to understanding the determinants affecting network performance and assessing the feasibility of employing Qualitative Comparative Analysis [QCA] (Ragin, 1987) as a research method. UNESCO WHS are nominated on the basis of the World Heritage Convention (1972) with the aim of protecting cultural and natural sites worldwide. To date, 962 sites in 157 State parties are entered in the World Heritage List (745 cultural, 188 natural and 29 mixed) Italy has the highest number of WHS (47), followed by Spain (44) and China (43). 01/07/2013  Marianna Elmi, Filippo Giordano & Denita Cepiku Interdependence and collaboration as key features of the management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites UNESCO WHS can be analysed as networks for several reasons, beginning with the fact that achievement of conservation and promotion depends on: (1) the contribution made by various interdependent organisations and actors; (2) fostering joint action and resourcepooling. Neither UNESCO nor governments can manage World Heritage alone. With under US$4 million a year, the World Heritage Fund is too small to ensure the preservation and promotion of the designated sites. Moreover, over the last few years, the WHS have stressed sustainable regional development, thus highlighting greater need for stakeholder involvement and participatory planning (Wiesman, Liechti and Rist, 2005; UNESCO 2008). These conditions make management of any given site a complex task requiring: (1) coordination of various institutions (which span