Unexplored aspects of bureaucratic autonomy: a state of the field and ways forward. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maggetti, Martino; Verhoest, Koen
• Other Names: Maggetti Martino guest-editor.; Verhoest Koen guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: International review of administrative sciences. Volume 80:Number 2(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: accountability -- autonomy -- independence -- public sector organizations -- regulatory agencies; Public administration -- Periodicals; Comparative government -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1177/0020852314524680
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-8523

Abstract

This article first provides a selective overview of the literature on bureaucratic autonomy and identifies different approaches to this topic. The second section discusses three major sets of open questions, which will be tackled in the contributions to this special issue: the subjective, dynamic and relational nature of autonomy; the complex linkages between tasks, organizational forms, and national path dependencies on the one hand and autonomy and performance on the other hand; and the interplay between autonomy, accountability and democratic legitimacy.