A Matter of Style?: Organizational Agency in Global Public Policy

International public administrations (IPAs) have gained importance in global governance, but their impact on international organizations' policy-making processes and outputs is unclear. This book introduces the concept of administrative styles and argues that IPAs can develop informal working routines to exert influence beyond their formal autonomy. A comparative assessment across eight IPAs provides empirical insight gathered through expert interviews.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

International public administrations (IPAs) have emerged as a crucial component of global governance, leading to what some have termed the bureaucratization of world politics. While there is a recognition that IPAs hold significance in international politics, the precise extent to which they impact international organizations' policy-making processes and subsequent outcomes remains largely unknown. This book offers a novel approach to understanding IPAs and their agency by introducing the concept of administrative styles into the study of international organizations and global public policy. It posits that the administrative bodies of international organizations can establish informal working routines that enable them to exert influence beyond their formal autonomy and mandate. The theoretical argument is substantiated through a comprehensive comparative analysis of administrative styles and their determinants across eight IPAs, resulting in rich empirical insights derived from over 100 expert interviews.

The rise of IPAs has had a profound impact on the landscape of global governance. These organizations, which are typically independent from national governments, have gained significant authority expert interviews. They play a crucial role in shaping international policies, regulations, and agreements, often working in collaboration with other international bodies such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

One of the key contributions of this book is its innovative perspective on IPAs and their agency. It argues that IPAs can develop informal working routines that allow them to exert influence beyond their formal autonomy and mandate. These routines are shaped by a range of factors, including the organization's culture, history, and strategic objectives. By understanding these informal working routines, scholars and policymakers can gain a deeper insight into how IPAs operate and how they contribute to the development of global public policy.

The book also provides a comprehensive comparative assessment of administrative styles and their determinants across eight IPAs. This assessment is based on a rigorous research methodology, which includes expert interviews, case studies, and secondary data analysis. The findings of the study offer valuable empirical insight into the ways in which IPAs differ in their administrative styles and the factors that influence these styles. The study identifies a range of common administrative styles, including hierarchical, bureaucratic, and network-based styles, and explores how these styles are influenced by factors such as the organization's structure, culture, and leadership.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the study of international organizations and global public policy. By exploring the role of IPAs in shaping international policies and their agency in introducing the concept of administrative styles, it offers a novel perspective on the complex dynamics of global governance. The comprehensive comparative assessment of administrative styles and their determinants across eight IPAs provides rich empirical insight into the ways in which IPAs operate and contribute to the development of global public policy. This book will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working in the fields of international relations, public administration, and global governance.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108818964