POLISINNOVATIONS · Diffusion of administrative and regulatory innovations in OECD and EU member states

Diffusion of administrative and regulatory innovations in OECD and EU member states

Abstract Through a large-n comparative analysis, a rigorous operationalisation of the extent of policy diffusion among EU and OECD member states has been pursued. Specifically, this research project ascertains modes of interdependence in the choices of governments to adopt, implement, and evaluate administrative reforms. Methodologically, the research project draws on a mixed-method approach, consisting of a qualitative analysis to track the process of institutionalisation, as well as an event history analysis, based on a dataset covering thirty-eight countries from 1968 to 2006. The empirical findings show that policy diffusion a multi-faceted process. In the decision to adopt RIA, the role of the OECD in translating, packaging, and promoting regulatory reform coexists with previous innovations and other administrative variables. Yet, the impact of policy interdependence is marginal in the successive phases of implementation and evaluation. Earliness of adoption is the major predictor of the extent of implementation and there is little evidence of interaction and communication among adopters on the subject of their learning experience. On balance, administrative reforms, such as regulatory impact analysis, are a domain of symbolic and rhetorical meanings that is not adequately supported by administrative capacity. List of keywords Administrative reform, policy interdependence, OECD, policy process Websites where additional information may be found http://sites.google.com/site/polisinnovations/ Report on work performed and results Accomplishment of research objective as presented in the original proposal Objective of the research This research project aimed at understanding the diffusion of administrative reform. A set of objectives were set in the research proposal: i) to develop an integrated theoretical framework; ii) to identify prerequisites for adoption and determinants of diffusion of administrative reform; iii) to embed coherently different stages of the policy process; iv) to attempt to generalise on patterns of diffusion of different administrative reforms. Work performed Overall, these objectives have been accomplished by drafting a very preliminary book manuscript 'A comprehensive analysis of policy diffusion: Regulatory impact analysis in EU and OECD Member States'' and several published and unpublished papers. Theoretical framework An overall framework for the analysis of diffusion of administrative reform has been identified, operationalised through hypotheses and independent variables, and tested in two papers. Alternative diffusion models, such as spatial model, have been tested. Data generation and collection Creation of a database on the years of adoption (among EU and OECD Member States) of freedom information act, environmental impact assessment, regulatory impact assessment, parliamentary office technology assessment, and administrative procedure act. Collection of independent variables not presented in ready-to-use databases such as the number of scientific articles produced in OECD and / or EU member states and the stock of United States foreign direct investment.

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