Types of knowledge utilization of regulatory impact assessments: Evidence from Swiss policymaking. Issue 3 (13th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rissi, Christof; Sager, Fritz
• Is Part Of: Regulation & governance. Volume 7:Issue 3(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 348
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2012-12-13
• Subjects: Delegated legislation -- Periodicals; Corporate governance -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1111/rego.12002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-5983

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Ex ante</italic> policy appraisals, such as Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), are promoted because they are expected to inform decisionmakers and, thus, to lead to better quality regulation. Such instrumental use is not the only possible use of RIAs. <italic>Ex ante</italic> policy appraisal can affect the policy process in various ways. However, a consolidated theory on the conditions for utilization of RIAs in the policy process has yet to be developed. In order to explore these conditions, we analyze three case studies of Swiss decisionmaking processes and apply concepts from knowledge utilization literature. In conclusion, we find that policy arenas matter more than the institutional context and design of RIA procedures. In line with previous literature, political use seems to be a prevalent type of utilization. Yet we find that, under specific conditions, RIAs also provide a basis for the optimization of policy designs (instrumental use), help improve interagency relations (policy‐process use), and may change how a policy issue is understood (conceptual use).</p> </abstract>