Strategies in multilevel policy implementation: moving beyond the limited focus on compliance. Issue 9 (24th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heidbreder, Eva G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of European public policy. Volume 24:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: 1367
• Page End: 1384
• Publication Date: 2017-09-24
• Subjects: Compliance -- conceptualization -- European Union -- implementation -- multilevel; European Union countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Political planning -- European Union countries -- Periodicals; Politique publique -- Pays de l'Union européenne -- Périodiques; Pays de l'Union européenne -- Politique et gouvernement -- Périodiques; 361.61094
• DOI: 10.1080/13501763.2017.1314540
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-1763

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Policy implementation in the European Union is most prominently analysed taking compliance as a conceptual starting point. However, compliance has an inherent top–down and state-centred bias. To overcome this limitation, a conceptual framework that links dimensions based on top–down/bottom–up implementation and vertical/horizontal multilevel governance is proposed. The thus derived four ideal-types of implementation in multilevel settings – centralization, agencification, convergence and networking – are complemented by functional expectations about policy-makers' strategic choices over these types. A screening of existing research completes the contribution. The results show that the suggested conceptualization offers indeed a comprehensive framework to describe the implementation strategies to propose avenues for future explanatory studies on strategic choices over implementation types.