ISL working paper series

ISL working papers 2012, ISSN 1893-2347

ISL working papers no 1, 2012,

Dag Ingvar Jacobsen:

The impact of governing networks - the role of context, organizing and trust

While our knowledge on the form and functioning of governing networks steadily increases, there are still holes in our knowledge of the impact of these networks. Using a multidimensional approach to measuring impacts, this article reports the perceived effects of the so-called regional councils in Norway. Impact is measured along four dimensions: impact on service provision, capacity to solve border-crossing problems, capacity to influence external actors and ability to develop collaborative relations in the network. As shown by earlier studies, trust between participants in the network play a crucial role in creating impact. In addition, consensus in the networks seems to be an equally important predictor of impact. Also, contextual elements like network size, economic asymmetry and interdependence, as well as organizational elements like administrative capacity and network age, have several direct effects on the perceived impacts, although not always in the predicted direction. Consequences for the role of managing networks are discussed, as well as the limits of the networks themselves.

You can the read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_28615

ISL working papers no 2, 2012,

Jarle Trondal and B. Guy Peters:

The Rise of European Administrative Space. Lessons learned

Despite advances in contemporary research on the European administrative space (EAS), no widespread understanding about its meaning, mechanisms and significance yet exists. This research agenda paper offers a comprehensive conceptualisation of EAS and takes stock of accumulated lessons learned. It is suggested that the rise of EAS features a transformation of administrative order that analytically can be grasped in terms of four analytical dimensions: independence, integration, co-optation and institutionalisation. Taken together, these elements suggest that EAS features the transformation of the inherent administrative order and the rise of an emergent common administrative system. The purpose of this research agenda paper essay is three-folded. Our first ambition is conceptual by offering a new account of EAS. The second ambition is empirical examining the varied and rich research agendas currently under way. Our final ambition is to stimulate further research along the conceptual map suggested. The empirical laboratory consists of key institutions of EAS, notably the European Commission, the European Parliament administration, EU agencies, EU committees, and domestic agencies.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_28616

ISL working papers no 3, 2012,

Zuzanna Murdoch:

Negotiating the European External Action Service (EEAS):

Analysing the External Effects of Internal (Dis)Agreement

Analyses of the rising capacity for coordination within the Secretariats-General of the European Commission and Council have concentrated on their effects within these respective institutions. This article, in contrast, argues that the presence/absence of coordination capacities developed within an institution may have an important bearing also on the relations between institutions (e.g., in inter-institutional negotiations). The empirical analysis traces the negotiation process leading up to the creation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and finds substantial support for the theoretical argument.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_28617

ISL working papers no 4, 2012,

Merethe Dotterud Leiren:

When EU Liberalisation Fails: The Case of the Port Directive

The prevailing literature on European integration holds that asymmetries towards ‘negative integration’ in the treaties are important for explaining increasing liberalisation reform in the EU. Additionally, literature on interest groups gives several reasons as to why labour unions are not likely to succeed at the EU level. However, to understand European integration, there is a need to also understand lack of integration. An in-depth analysis of the decision-making process of the EU Port Directive highlights the importance of actor constellations and inclusion of large societal groups such as labour unions in consultations.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_29288

ISL working papers no 5, 2012,

Dag Olaf Torjesen and A. Bryce Hoflund

Implementing a health care reform through inter-municipal cooperation: Adapting and implementing the Norwegian cooperation-reform in three inter-municipal health regions.

In this explorative article we will try to identify some issues and questions about how the Norwegian municipalities are preparing to implement the Cooperation reform and the new health care legislation. Our main focus is on examples of measures municipalities in three Norwegian inter-municipality regions so far have developed with respect to the Cooperation reform which will be implemented from spring 2012. By comparing and contrasting this three regions, with different history and adjustment patterns, our aim is to investigate inter-municipal cooperation as an suitable organizational solutions the municipalities can use in their struggle to prepare for their new extended role as health care providers. We will also explore factors that could explain why some inter-municipality regions have progressed better than others in their collaborative efforts to adapt to the future health challenges.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_29289

ISL working papers no 6, 2012,

Jan Thorsvik

Perspektiver på størrelse og styringslogikk i organisasjoner

Temaet på NEON konferansen i år er “Organisering og størrelse”. Tittelen på mitt foredrag er: “Perspektiver på størrelse og styringslogikk i organisasjoner.” Jeg har valgt to hovedpunkt: 1) størrelse og effektivitet, og 2) størrelse og styringslogikk. På hvert av hovedpunktene er jeg er opptatt av typiske feilslutninger når det gjelder størrelse. Både innenfor privat virksomhet og offentlig sektor er det tradisjonelt antatt at stort er bra, og større er bedre. Men vi kan ikke bestemme a priori om det å vokse og bli større er bedre enn alternativene. Vi kan bare øke sannsynligheten for at strategier for å bli større skal gi de positive forventede effekter, gjennom grundige analyser av forutsetninger i det enkelte konkrete tilfelle, og systematisk planlegging. De faktiske effekter av for eksempel fusjoner kan bare bestemmes etter hvert som man implementerer strategier, og får kunnskap om sammenhenger mellom størrelse og hvordan det hele fungerer.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_29454

ISL working papers no 7, 2012,

Jarle Trondal

The Rise of a European Public Administration. European capacity building by stealth

This paper reports the European integration of the inherent state prerogative to formulate and implement public policy. It is suggested that the European integration of core state powers necessitates the supply of independent and integrated bureaucratic capacities at a ‘European level’. The rise of a genuinely European public administration is conceived of as executive centre formation. The paper suggests that the integration of public administration may be explained by organizational capacity building by stealth.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_29801

ISL working papers no 8, 2012,

Jan Beyers and Peter Bursens

How Europe shapes the nature of the Belgian Federation. Differentiated EU impact triggers both cooperation and decentralization

European integration triggers contrasting views from Belgian political elites. Proponents of con-federalism, further decentralization and separatism point to the decreasing importance of the central government level within a more integrated Europe as well as to the growing relevance of regions within contemporary Europe. Opponents of separatism generally favor a strong central government arguing that Europe will not easily accept separatism and that further decentralization may substantially weaken the European position of Belgium and its regions. This paper aims to clarify the European factor in the ‘Belgian Question’. Our argument consists of two parts. First, we discuss the political-administrative consequences of the institutional interpenetration of the Belgian federation within the EU polity. Second, we explore how European economic integration impacts upon politics within the Belgian federation. Our main conclusion is that both aspects of European integration entail a differentiated outcome; while the first triggers cooperation, the second stimulates ongoing decentralization pressures.

You can read the paper in full text here:

http://www.nb.no/idtjeneste/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_29802

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