Why and how the regulation of emerging technologies occurs is not clear in the literature. In this study, we adapt the multiple streams framework – often used for explaining agenda-setting and policy adoption – to examine the phenomenon. We hypothesize how technological change affects...

Over thirty-years ago Meltsner (1976) observed in the case of the U.S. that analysts undertook a number of roles in the policy-making process, most of which did not involve neutral technical information processing. Contrary to the picture of carefully-recruited analysts trained in policy schools...

In this paper, we seek to clarify further the processes of internationalization on environmental policy convergence by focussing narrowly on transnational communication as a mechanism for policy learning mediated by a country’s policy analytical capacity. We argue that without significant...

This paper contributes to the understanding of analytical practices and tools employed by policy analysts involved in policy formulation and appraisal by examining data drawn from 15 surveys of federal, provincial and territorial government policy analysts in Canada conducted in 2009-2010, two...

The use of external consultants in government has been an increasingly important focus of attention in many countries, including Canada. Numerous studies were undertaken in the 1990s and 2000s as legislatures and their accounting arms became concerned with this practice but they yielded little...

The use of external consultants in government in the management and policy realms has drawn increasing attention in many countries in recent years, including Canada. Studies were undertaken internationally in the 1990s and 2000s as legislatures and their accounting arms became concerned with the...

Drawing up policy options is a complex activity which involves defining and weighing the merits and risks of various alternatives. In its modern version, this usually involves formal policy analysis or “policy appraisal”; that is, policy work specifically undertaken to generate and evaluate...