presentation bachelor thesis - policy diffusion

Universiteit Leiden. Bij ons leer je de wereld kennen.

Policy Diffusion between Dutch

Municipalities in Preparation of the New

Social Support Law (Dutch: Wmo)

Audrey Hobbelen S1117734 May 7th, 2015


Background Motivation

Three decentralizations within social domain more and heavier tasks for municipalities do municipalities learn from each other? If so, how do they learn from each other?

Research Question‘To what extent does participation in regional networks explain policy diffusion between Dutch municipalities in preparation of the new social support law (Dutch: Wmo)?’

Scientific and Social Relevance- More knowledge about how and where learning takes place. - Practical knowledge for municipalities on how to deal with decentralizations


Theory & Hypotheses1. Networks (Rogers, 1995; Mintrom & Vergari, 1998;

Füglister, 2012) Participation in network more policy diffusion

2. Homogeneity (Rogers, 1995; Volden, 2006; Volden e.a. 2008; Shipan & Volden, 2012)Similarities in demographic and social economic characteristics more policy diffusion

3. Policy entrepreneur (Rogers, 1995; Mintrom, 1997; Mintrom & Vergari, 1998; Füglister, 2012)Policymakers intentionally search for and spread policies more policy diffusion

4. Ideological and political background(Volden e.a., 2008; Gilardi, 2010)Similarities in ideological and political background more policy diffusion


Operationalisation of variables

Dependent variable:

Degree of Policy Diffusion between Dutch municipalities

Independent variables:

Degree of participation in networks

Degree of homogeniety

Presence of Policy Entrepreneur

Ideological Background of Alderman


Methods• Three municipalities in region of North

Holland:

- Haarlem (Large)- Heemstede (Medium)- Haarlemmerliede (Small)

• Semi-structured interviews• Document analysis


Results I Participation in network: no

variation- Multiple partnerships- Frequent meetings

Homogeniety: variation- Population size- Demographics

Intentional spread of policy: variation- Regional/local vs. National- City or town

Ideological background: variation


Results II


Conclusion No policy diffusion but one common

policy

Strengthening of cooperation leads to dissapearing of network

Theory is not applicable

Further research needed for understanding of network development and regional cooperation (regional regime)


Bibliography• Boogers, M. (2014), Strategie, structuur en samenleving: drie dimensies van

regionale uitvoeringskracht. Bestuurswetenschappen 68 (2): 13-31

• Füglister, K. (2012), Where does Diffusion Take Place? The Role of Intergovernmental Cooperation for Policy Diffusion in Switzerland. European Journal of Political Research (51): 316-349

• Gilardi, F. (2010), Who Learns from What in Policy Diffusion Processes? American Journal of Political Science 54(3): 650-666

• Jans, W., Denters, S.A.H., Gerven, M. van & Need, A. (2013), Innovatiekracht in Nederlandse gemeenten: naar een bestuurskundige onderzoeksagenda. Bestuurswetenschappen 67 (3): 21-44

• Mintrom, M. (1997), Policy Entrepreneurs and the Diffusion of Innovation. American Journal of Political Science 41(3): 738-770

• Mintrom, M. (1997), Policy Entrepreneurs and the Diffusion of Innovation. American Journal of Political Science 41(3): 738-770

• Mintrom, M. and Vergari, S. (1998), Policy Networks and Innovation Diffusion: The Case of State Education Reforms. The Journal of Politics 60(1): 126-148

• Rogers, E.M. (1995), Diffusion of innovations (fourth edition), New York: The Free Press

• Shipan, Charles R., and Craig Volden. (2012), Policy diffusion: Seven lessons for Scholars and Practitioners. Public Administration Review 72(6): 788-796

• Volden, C. (2006), States as Policy Laboratories: emulating Success in Children’s Health Insurance Program, American Journal of Political Science 50(2): 294

• Volden, C., Ting, M.M., Carpenter, D.P. (2008), A Formal Model of Learning and Policy Diffusion. American Political Science Review 102(3): 319-332

presentation bachelor thesis - policy diffusion

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