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The role of policy advisers in policy
learningWolfgang Polt-
Joanneum ResearchInstitute for Technology and Regional
Policy
6CP Conference23-24 May 2006
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Structure of the presentation
Definition of policy learning Barriers to policy learning How not to do policy learning What you need for policy
learning Role of policy advisers in
policy learning Policy advise in a systemic
context
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What is ‚policy learning‘ ?
„Policy learning is defined as all those processes by which policy systems generate and incorporate knowledge and understanding about (i) underlying causes and conditions of policies and initiatives (ii) the effects of policy and initiatives. This knowledge is derived throughout the policy cycle and policy learning provides feed-back to all stages“
(Hjelt et al., in OECD 2005: Governance of Innovation Systems, p.196)
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Barriers to ‚policy learning‘
Reluctance to confront the past
Communication failure(s) Lack of adoption capacity Loss of institutional memory
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Reluctance to confront the past
„Why look back at old programmes / initiatives? We are forward looking !“
Evaluations are dangerous because of potential negative outcomes
Not ‚making‘ an experience, is not learning at all !§
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Communication failure(s)
Communicating in different ‚codes‘
Communicating not at all
Not accepting or understanding different perspectives !
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Lack of adoption capacities
Policy stripped of ressources Information overflow Coordination overload
Not being able to capitalize on available information !
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Loss of institutional memory
Loss of personell Institutional shake-ups
Not being able to retain and pass on available knowledge !
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How better not to learn… ‚Path dependency‘ of learning
(‚Superstitious learning‘) Indicator driven policy
(‚Superfical learning‘)
Available information is processed, but without knowledgable interpretation !
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What you need for policy learning Ken‘s quadrants:
Current Context
Future Visions
Past Actions
Parallel Activities
Policy Practice
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What you need for policy learning
Communication within a system of ‚distributed strategic intelligence‘
Needs knowledge infrastructures, institutions, openess, incentive structures, shared ‚codes‘…
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Role(s) of policy advisers
The policy adviser as…
the irritation of the system the process / communication
enabler the information filter the store of information and
knowledge
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Role(s) of policy advisers
The policy adviser as…
the scapegoat the legitimizer the substitute policy
maker
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Policy advise in a systemic context The relation to
policy makers: ‚truth speaks to power‘? The policy advisor as
an expert: in superior knowledge of the system?
The policy maker: in posession of power?
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Policy advise in a systemic context Analysing the ‚RTDI policy system‘
with the tools of system analysis Recognising the implications of the
systemic character of policymaking: Inherent limitations on what we can
know about a complex system Inherent limitation of communication
between systems Inherent limits to foresee the effects of
an intervention in a complex system
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A sketch of the Austrian Institutional STI policy landscape
Parliament
Government
BMF
Committee for science, industry
and economic affairs
BMWA BMVIT BMBWK
AWS, ERP
FFFBIT
FWF
TIG
ASA
Policy
Agencies
Performers
KFI
National Bank
UniversitiesFirms ARC Polytechnics
TechnologyCentres
Competence platforms, incubators
Money from primary sources
Funding: competitive moneyin colour of primary source
Policy advice
…AW
LBGCD-Lab.
AnniversaryFundCDG
VT…
ACR
Main thematic programmes
NANO FIT-IT Sustainable D. protec 2002+ fFORTE GENAU
Kind, Knet Kplus-Centres AplusB
Umbrella organisation
LISA
A3 IBS I2
Austrian Science Council
Council for Research and Technology Development
Parliament
Government
BMF
Committee for science, industry
and economic affairs
BMWA BMVIT BMBWK
AWS, ERP
FFFBIT
FWF
TIG
ASA
Policy
Agencies
Performers
KFI
National Bank
UniversitiesFirms ARC Polytechnics
TechnologyCentres
Competence platforms, incubators
Money from primary sources
Funding: competitive moneyin colour of primary source
Policy advice
…AW
LBGCD-Lab.
AnniversaryFundCDG
VT…
ACR
Main thematic programmes
NANO FIT-IT Sustainable D. protec 2002+ fFORTE GENAU
Kind, Knet Kplus-Centres AplusB
Umbrella organisation
LISA
A3 IBS I2
Austrian Science Council
Council for Research and Technology Development
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The Austrian Systemof IST / e-GovernmentPolicy Making (simplified version)
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Policy advise in a systemic context Policy adviser as an expert on
the subject matter of policy and the related policy process
Policy adviser as a the one who asks the right questions – not the one providing the ‚right‘ answers from the position of superior knowledge
Policy adviser in co-evolution with the ‚client‘s system‘, i.e. change of roles in the policy cycle
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Policy advise in a systemic context Policy adviser as an expert on the subject matter
of policy and the related policy process Policy adviser as a the one who asks the right
questions – not the one providing the ‚right‘ answers from the position of superior knowledge
Policy adviser in co-evolution with the ‚client‘s system‘, i.e. change of roles in the policy cycle
Probably we need a rather fundamenal change of our perception of the role of policy advise
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.. A last look back at the Austrian Info-Society case:
successful policy learning ??
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Thank you for your attention !