Integrating nascent organisations. On the settlement of the European External Action Service. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riddervold, Marianne; Trondal, Jarle
• Is Part Of: Journal of European integration. Volume 39:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: CFSP -- European Commission -- European External Action Service -- independence -- integration -- organisational settlement; European federation -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; Europe -- Economic integration -- Periodicals; 341.24205
• DOI: 10.1080/07036337.2016.1241246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0703-6337

Abstract

Abstract: This study shows how the EU's new Common Foreign and Security policy (CFSP) administration – the European External Action Service (EEAS) – experienced early organisational settlement. We find that the EEAS acts relatively independently from member-state governments, suggesting administrative autonomy. It is also relatively integrated into the Commission structure, suggesting inter-institutional integration of sub-units in the two institutions. Important lessons can be learned. For organisation theory: Firstly, nascent organisations are likely to experience some degree of 'settlement' after birth by establishing ties towards organisations from which they originate. Secondly, settlement is influenced by pre-existing organisational capacity and recent organisational history. For the CFSP literature: Firstly, the CFSP has indeed developed beyond intergovernmental cooperation; we might be witnessing a 'normalisation' or 'communitarisation' of CFSP policy- processes. Secondly, cooperation and further institutionalisation of relations between the EEAS and the Commission may be key factors in explaining integration within the CFSP.