Journal article
Explaining the content of impact assessment in the United Kingdom: Learning across time, sectors, and departments
Regulation & Governance, Vol.11(4), pp.325-342
2016
Abstract
While several studies have documented how evidence‐based policy instruments affect public policy, less research has focused on what causes changes over time in the analyses mandated by the instruments, especially in Britain. Thus, we take the analytical content of a pivotal regulatory reform instrument (impact assessment) as a dependent variable, draw on learning as a conceptual framework, and explain the dynamics of learning processes across departments, policy sectors, and time. Empirically, our study draws on a sample of 517 impact assessments produced in Britain (2005–2011). Experience and capacity in different departments matter in learning processes. Guidelines also matter, but moderately so. Departments specialize in their core policy sectors when performing regulatory analysis, but some have greater analytical capacity overall. Peripheral departments invest more in impact assessment than core executive departments. The presence of a regulatory oversight body enhances the learning process. Elections have different effects, depending on the context in which they are contested. These findings contribute to the literature on regulation, policy learning, and policy instruments.
Details
- Title
- Explaining the content of impact assessment in the United Kingdom: Learning across time, sectors, and departments
- Authors/Creators
- O. Fritsch (Author/Creator) - University of LeedsJ.C. Kamkhaji (Author/Creator) - University of ExeterC.M. Radaelli (Author/Creator) - University of Exeter
- Publication Details
- Regulation & Governance, Vol.11(4), pp.325-342
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Identifiers
- 991005541990707891
- Copyright
- © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 6 Social Sciences
- 6.27 Political Science
- 6.27.489 Public Administration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Law
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- ESI research areas
- Social Sciences, general