Research Line: Multi-actor governance (2002-2006)

• Objective
• Research projects:
  • Europeanisation of the flemish administrative system
  • Interorganisational relations with regard to region-oriented policy problems
  • Autonomy and steering-control of government organisations
  • Evaluative research regarding the need for socialisation and professionalisation of the local policy level
• Implementers
• Some publications

Problems and issues

The general objectives of the multi-actor governance research line are to conduct research and to make policy recommendations regarding the development of vertical and horizontal multi-actor governance in Flanders (from a hierarchical structure to a stronger focus on market forces and networking) as well as the management of steering-control relations:

(1) from and to Europe;
(2) with regard to region-oriented networks;
(3) with regard to autonomous Flemish and locally acting agencies; and
(4) with regard to local governments.

Research projects

• Europeanisation of the flemish administrative system
• Interorganisational relations with regard to region-oriented policy problems
• Autonomy and steering-control of government organisations
• Evaluative research regarding the need for socialisation and professionalisation of the local policy level

Research Questions

• Does Flanders follow the international trends and which factors explain differences ?
• How is Europeanisation influencing structure, policy and culture of the Flemish system ?
• What types of steering are used in area-related policy, which factors explain success and failure of multi-actor relations in specific areas, what is the influence of financial institutionalisation on those relations ?
• What is the meaning of steering in the context of agencies, which conditions and instruments explain the success of steering arrangements ?

Research Content

Extended survey for the Europeanisation, multiple case research for the area-related topics, comparative international cases and Flemish cases for the agency project.

Dissemination/Valorisation

Monitoring and self guidance for Europeanisation, advices concerning core tasks, reengineering of financial instruments and improvement of procesmanagement for the area-related project, design and validation of instruments, benchmarking, decision supporting instruments, pilot project, advice and directed training for the agency project.

Implementers

University Antwerp for Europeanisation, University College Ghent for the area-related project and KU Leuven for the agency-project.